Ethics Reflection Essay

Missouri State University

College of Business

MGT 340 Ethics Reflection Paper Assignment

Each student will complete an ethics reflection paper consisting of these elements:

1. Ethical Models/Rules/Views

Students are asked to briefly describe and discuss the major

models/rules/views of ethics discussed in written assignments, class lecture,

films, and/or other sources. The description should produce evidence that

students understand each model and its applications and limitations.

2. Personal Perspective

Students are asked to identify the model or view of ethics that most closely

reflects their ethical perspective and explain why they identify or agree with

that perspective. They are asked to discuss their core beliefs and to

incorporate a discussion of the forces that shape their values and otherwise

lead them to use one rule or model over others.

3. Ethical Dilemma Recognition and Analysis

Students will be asked to define ethical dilemma. Each will be asked to select,

describe, and discuss an example of an ethical dilemma they have

encountered in their lives. Students should discuss the ethical dilemma in

terms of one or more of the ethical frameworks described earlier, describe

how the dilemma was resolved, and consider the full implications/limitations

of their decision in terms of the ethical framework they have selected.

4. Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility

Students are asked to address the importance of ethical leadership in

organizations and to describe and defend their personal feelings regarding

corporate social responsibility. This should include a description of their

perspective on the degree to which organizations should be compelled to act

in a socially responsible fashion (or, conversely, should not be compelled to

actively pursue social responsibility), and the rationale supporting their views.

Technical Requirements for the Reflection Paper

1.You should not include any identifying information (for example your name)

anywhere in the paper. This paper may be submitted for accreditation purposes and if

personal identifying information is included, it cannot be submitted. Since you will be

turning in your paper on Connect, you name will be included with your electronic

submission associated with your account. 2. The paper should be between 850 words and 1,350 words long. Students will have

points deducted for submissions outside of defined word count totals. 3.Students should use the four headings in boldface in 1-4 of “The Reflection Paper

Assignment” above to identify specific sections of the paper. Points will be deducted

if the paper is not organized using the four specified headings. 4. This is a reflection paper and should be the student’s own work, this means formal

referencing should not be used. Citations, quotations, or footnotes are NOT allowed in

this paper. You may use the information you have gained from MGT 340 (including

the information in the text and essay assignment outline), other ethics coursework, or

personal experience IN YOUR OWN WORDS without citation. In order to check for

plagiarism, students should run the Connect Originality Tool. * *NOTE: The Connect Originality Tool can ONLY be run once every 24 hours, which

means you should submit a draft through the tool at least 24 hours before the deadline

if you would like to use the tool more than once. Also, the tool is designed to consider

all previous student submissions, so if you see that common phrases (like common

headings or definitions) are being "flagged" by the system, do not worry about that. I

can tell the difference between common definitions and real plagiarism issues in the

system.

ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN MGT 340

Here is a general outline to some of the major topics and issues in ethics and social responsibility

in a number of management and organizational behavior textbooks.

ETHICS AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR

For most of us our lives are lived and our careers are executed in the pursuit of meaningful goals.

Most of us likely believe that those goals must always be achieved through ethical conduct and

socially responsible action. The material that follows describes many of the issues involved in

ethics and social responsibility.

Definitions of Ethics

The study of ethics is the study of how we determine right from wrong in our relationships with

other individuals and, groups. Ethical standards are the fundamental principles that guide how

which people act. Ethics are standards for good or bad, or right or wrong conduct. Ethics

provides principles to guide behavior and help people make moral choices. At its most basic

level, individual ethics involves how an individual uses moral principles, beliefs, and personal

values to analyze a situation, assess which courses of action are right or wrong, and decide which

actions or behaviors are right or appropriate.

Ethics, Law, and the Passage of Time

Ethical is not the same as legal. Many laws are passed to enforce ethical behavior, but many

behaviors that are legal are not ethical, and both standards of ethics and laws change over time.

Ethical Dilemmas

This refers to a situation in which individuals have to decide upon a course of action knowing

that the choice of a particular alternative may benefit some while harming others. Often the

ethical dilemma involves the choice of making a decision that is consistent with one’s ethical

standards but which may work against one’s own self interest.

Ethical Decision-Making

Ethical decisions are related to a specific context -- there are business ethics, educational ethics,

and personal ethics. Sometimes these ethics may be in conflict. As we make ethical decisions,

however, we make them in a way that is not self-serving, and that is consistent with the spirit of

rightness and fair play.

Ethical decisions are ones that should be best for persons and organizations, both in the short and

long term. This means that sometimes we must make a decision that is difficult in the short term

so that it can be best for individuals or organizations over the long haul.

Ethical Leadership

Ethical leadership combines ethical decision-making and ethical behavior, and it occurs in both

an individual and an organizational context. The ethical leader balances her or his obligation to

self with obligations to the organization and the community within which the organization exists.

This means that the ethical leader selects or creates an organization that is consistent with his or

her own individual ethical principles, and then works with and through the organization to make

decisions and engage in actions that are consistent with those principles.

Defining Business Ethics

Business ethics can be defined as written and unwritten codes of principles and values that

govern decisions and actions within a company. In the business world, the organization's culture

sets standards for determining the difference between good and bad decision making and

behavior.

In the most basic terms, a definition for business ethics boils down to knowing the difference

between right and wrong and choosing to do what is right. The phrase 'business ethics' can be

used to describe the actions of individuals within an organization, as well as the organization as a

whole.

Ethical Problems

Most ethical problems in the workplace arise when people are asked to do something that

violates their personal beliefs and values

Values

Broad beliefs about what is appropriate behavior.

Terminal values - preferences about desired goals (the ends)

Instrumental values - preferences regarding the means to desired ends

Both terminal and instrumental values differ among people, so we are likely to get different

interpretations of what is ethical.

RULES/VIEWS/ALTERNATIVE MODELS OF ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING

Different rules/views/models of ethical decision-making can be used to analyze the ethics of

decision-making. For the individual these different rules/views/models may reflect the values,

individual characteristics, and cultural influences that shape how he or she reacts to an ethical

dilemma and balances the interests of self with the concerns of others. For managers, these

different rules/views/models often represent different ethical perspectives regarding the balance

of self-interest and stakeholder concerns, and reflect the organization’s culture, values, and

structures. Each of these models has both advantages and problems. Some of the major models

are described below.

Utilitarian or Consequential Rule

In the Utilitarian or Consequential Rule, the ethics of a decision are based on the decision’s

consequences. A decision that delivers the greatest good to the greatest number (layoff some to

save jobs for others) is the ethical decision. To decide on a course of action managers must

identify stakeholders and their concerns, then select the decision that does the most good/least

harm. The problem this view presents for the decision maker is how to assess harm/good and

how to evaluate the importance of each stakeholder’s claim. In other words, does severe harm

for a very few stakeholders justify a moderate benefit for all others?

Moral Rights Rule

In the Moral Rights Rule the ethical decision is the one that respects and protects the

fundamental rights of people (rights of privacy, due process, free speech, etc.). Managers should

make decisions based on how the affect the rights of stakeholders and the decision should be the

one which protects the rights of all stakeholders. The problem this view presents for the decision

maker is, first, how do you decide which rights are fundamental rights? There is much

disagreement over what these rights actually are. Secondly, almost all decisions produce

benefits for some but harm to others. How do you choose which groups to protect? This

produce a precarious ethical balancing act.

Theory of Justice or Legal Rule

In the Theory of Justice or Legal Rule, the ethical decision is the one that treats people and

groups impartially and fairly according to legal rules and standards. This model implies that

ethical decisions involve both Procedural Justice, or fairness and consistency in processes and

Distributive Justice, or fairness in outcomes. The problem this view presents for the decision

maker is how to determine what the fair rules and procedures actually should be. The manner in

which rule are written typically favors one group of stakeholders over others and political

behavior may impact fairness.

Integrative Social Contracts Rule

The Integrative Social Contracts Rule reflects the influence of culture on ethics. In this rule the

ethical decision is the one that is based on existing cultural or ethical norms in industries and

communities. This view contrasts the perspective of Universalism which states that ethical

standards are absolute and should be applied to all (or even Ethical Imperialism which is an

attempt to impose one’s own cultural standards on all cultures), with that of Cultural Relativism

which suggests that ethical behavior must always be interpreted in its cultural context. This view

is often a problem when industry or local cultural standards fail to reflect values held by the

larger society. A related concept is the Practical Rule. A Practical Rule of ethical decision-

making is often applied to business ethics. In this rule, a decision is ethical if it falls within

accepted values and standards that usually apply to business, if the company would be willing to

see it communicated to all affected by it, and when others approve of the decision.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The obligation of an organization to serve both its own interests and those of society.

Leadership beliefs that guide socially responsible practices:

-people do their best in healthy work environments

-organizations perform best in healthy communities

-organizations gain by treating the natural environment with respect

-organizations must be managed for the long term

-organization’s reputation must be protected

Stakeholder Analysis

A popular and useful way to examine corporate social responsibility is through stakeholder

analysis. Stakeholders are the people and groups that can benefit or be harmed by the

organization and its decisions. The idea is that the organization has the duty to serve the interests

of its stakeholders who are directly affected by the organization.

Major Stakeholders

Stockholders - have an interest in the organization because of their stock investments. They

want the organization to be profitable, desire that agents (managers) work to increase the return

on investment, and act in ways that do not injure the company’s reputation or create unnecessary

risk.

Managers - have an interest in the organization because they invest their skills and time and

have a stake in its performance. Managers are responsible for making decisions that guide the

activities of the organization and that make efficient use of resources. They often are required to

make difficult decisions that balance the interests of other stakeholders.

Employees - have an interest in the organization because they invest their skills and time in

their work and their livelihood depends on the activities of the organization. They expect

equitable rewards and fair treatment for their work.

Suppliers and Distributors - have an interest in the organization because of the reciprocal

dependencies with the organization. They expect fair treatment in negotiations, contractual and

financial arrangements, and other interactions.

Customers - have an interest in the organization because they expect fair treatment and demand

fair prices and quality in products and services.

Society - has an interest in the organization because it provides the physical infrastructure in

which organizations operate and depends on the organization for economic contributions. It

requires the organization to create jobs yet maintain an environment that protects the health of

the community.

Perspectives on Social Responsibility?

Classical view - management’s only responsibility is running the business to maximize

profit.

Socioeconomic view - management must be concerned with the broader social welfare.

Social responsibility will add to profits in the long run. Businesses can serve the public

good and advance the interests of shareholders at the same time.

Strategies for Social Performance

Obstructionist - avoids social responsibility and reflects economic priorities

Social Obligation or Defensive - does what is minimally legally required

Accommodative or social responsiveness - accepts social responsibility and tries to

satisfy economic, legal, and ethical criteria

Proactive or social responsibility - takes proactive steps to avoid adverse social impacts

from company activities