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In the realm of business ethics, enhancing ethical decision-making is paramount. To achieve this, we must delve into the intricacies of how individuals make ethical judgments within organizational contexts. It is a misconception to assume that ethical decisions in the workplace mirror those made in personal or familial settings. Organizational pressures often shape these decisions significantly. This essay explores the multifaceted factors influencing ethical decision-making in business, such as ethical issue intensity, individual factors, organizational factors, leadership, and proactive measures for improving ethical judgments.
Ethical decision-making begins with recognizing the ethical dimension of a choice that necessitates evaluating actions that various stakeholders will perceive as either right or wrong. Ethical issue intensity refers to the significance an individual, work group, or organization assigns to an ethical issue, considering values, beliefs, needs, perceptions, situational characteristics, and personal pressures. It is highly personal and subject to change based on circumstances and influences from six spheres: workplace, family, religion, legal system, community, and profession.
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Moral intensity, closely related to ethical issue intensity, concerns a person's perception of social pressure and the harm the decision may inflict on others. Managers can influence how employees perceive the importance of an ethical issue through positive and negative incentives, corporate policies, and values.
When confronted with ethical dilemmas, individuals often rely on their personal values, which they acquire through socialization, education, and various individual factors. These factors include gender, education, work experience, nationality, age, and locus of control.
Education plays a significant role in ethical decision-making, as it provides individuals with knowledge but doesn't necessarily reflect their experience.
Work experience, the number of years spent in a specific job or industry, also contributes to better ethical decision-making.
Age and nationality have complex relationships with ethics, and recent research suggests nuanced interactions. Locus of control, which pertains to beliefs about internal or external factors affecting one's life, influences individual perceptions of power and control in ethical situations.
While individuals make ethical choices, organizational values often wield greater influence than personal values in the workplace. Ethical decisions in business typically emerge from group deliberations, committee discussions, or interactions with colleagues. These outcomes depend on the interplay between personal values, opportunities for unethical behavior, and exposure to ethical or unethical conduct.
A corporate culture embodies an organization's shared values, beliefs, and problem-solving approaches. An essential component of this culture is the ethical aspect, which indicates whether the company possesses an ethical conscience. Corporate policies, management's stance on ethics, peer influence, and the potential for unethical behavior all shape ethical culture.
Obedience to authority is another significant factor in ethical decisions, as many employees follow directives from superiors to resolve ethical issues.
Opportunity in ethical decision-making encompasses the conditions within an organization that either facilitate or hinder ethical behavior. This can stem from internal or external rewards or a lack of barriers against unethical conduct. Knowledge also plays a role, as ethical misconduct often involves deception or withholding information.
Opportunity is tied to an individual's immediate work context, including their colleagues, workspace, and job nature. Eliminating opportunities for unethical behavior requires the enforcement of ethical codes and rules.
Ethical dilemmas present decision-makers with situations where rules are vague or conflicting. The results of ethical decisions are often uncertain, and individuals may experience guilt if their intentions and behavior contradict their ethical judgment. Guilt signals an unethical decision, and individuals may justify their actions through various reasons, such as financial need or social conformity.
The road to success in business hinges on one's definition of success. Success concepts drive intentions and behavior, either implicitly or explicitly. This essay does not prescribe what is right or wrong but aims to provide insights into typical decision-making processes and influencing factors.
Leadership, characterized by the ability to guide and direct others toward goals, plays a pivotal role in ethical decision-making. Leaders possess the power to motivate, enforce organizational rules, and shape the ethical fabric of a company.
Leadership styles significantly impact organizational behavior, including employees' adherence to ethical norms. Ethical leadership, which goes beyond CEOs and managers to include all employees, focuses on instilling shared standards of conduct. Six leadership styles based on emotional intelligence, as identified by Daniel Goleman, influence behavior:
Ethical leaders exhibit strong personal character, a passion for doing what is right, and proactivity in addressing ethical issues. They consider stakeholders' interests, serve as role models for the organization's values, are transparent, actively engage in decision-making, and take a holistic view of the firm's ethical culture.
Ethical leadership is rooted in holistic thinking, encompassing the complexities of daily corporate challenges. Strong ethical leaders possess both knowledge and courage, and they adhere to their principles, even if it means leaving an organization with a flawed governance system.
Strong personal character is a prerequisite for ethical leadership, and it is developed through ethical reasoning. Focus should be on cultivating ethical reasoning rather than aiming to be a "moral person."
The passion to do right is a driving force in ethical leadership, developed through experience, reason, or spiritual growth. Ethical leaders cite various arguments for doing right, including maintaining societal cohesion, alleviating human suffering, and advancing human prosperity.
Ethical leaders are proactive in anticipating and addressing ethical problems. They take a leadership role in developing programs that guide employees to make ethical choices, even under pressure.
Ethical leaders consider the interests of all stakeholders, recognizing their concerns, cooperating with them, and avoiding activities that infringe on human rights.
Leaders serve as primary role models for organizational values, influencing individual ethical behavior. When leaders align their actions with the firm's values, the impact can be profound.
Transparency fosters openness, freedom of expression, and stakeholder engagement. Ethical leaders actively participate in key ethical decisions, ensuring alignment with the organization's values.
Ethical leaders view ethics as a strategic component of decision-making and possess a holistic understanding of their organizations. Competence and a willingness to make the right choice, even if it means leaving, are fundamental traits of ethical leaders.
By embracing these principles of ethical leadership, organizations can create a culture that prioritizes ethical decision-making, ultimately fostering a more responsible and sustainable business environment.
In a high-profile scandal that unfolded on September 12, 2002, Tyco International's former CEO, L. Dennis Kozlowski, and former CFO, Mark H. Swartz, were arrested and charged with embezzling over $170 million from the company. Additionally, they were accused of fraudulently selling more than $430 million worth of Tyco stock while concealing this information from shareholders. The charges against these executives included grand larceny, enterprise corruption, and falsifying business records. Another key figure, former general counsel Mark A. Belnick, faced charges related to concealing $14 million in personal loans. This Tyco scandal would go on to become one of the most infamous corporate scandals of the early 2000s.
Tyco International, founded in 1960 by Arthur J. Rosenberg, began as an investment and holding company with a focus on solid-state science and energy conversion. It initially gained recognition for developing the first laser with a sustained beam for medical procedures. Over time, Tyco transitioned into the commercial sector, eventually going public in 1964. The company embarked on a series of rapid acquisitions, purchasing sixteen companies by 1968. This expansion continued until 1982, during which Tyco's consolidated sales grew from $34 million to $500 million.
In 1975, Dennis Kozlowski joined Tyco after working briefly at SCM Corporation and Nashua Corporation. At Tyco, he found a mentor in then-CEO Joseph Gaziano, who led an extravagant lifestyle with company perks like private jets, lavish vacations, and memberships to exclusive clubs. However, Gaziano's tenure ended abruptly in 1982 due to his battle with cancer, leading to the appointment of John F. Fort III as his successor. Fort's management style contrasted sharply with Gaziano's extravagance, emphasizing profit for shareholders and cost-cutting. Kozlowski, who thrived under Gaziano's leadership, had to adjust to this change.
Kozlowski, skilled in financial matters, aligned himself with Fort's vision of prioritizing shareholder interests. One of his major acquisitions was Wormald International, a global fire-protection company worth $360 million. Integrating Wormald proved challenging, and Fort had reservations about such a significant purchase. Differences also arose over rapid changes made to Grinnell. Despite these challenges, Kozlowski lobbied the Tyco board of directors to continue their strategy of acquiring profitable companies.
After Fort's departure, Dennis Kozlowski, then 46, assumed leadership of Tyco International. With a newfound lifestyle marked by extravagant parties and multiple residences, he appeared to be following in Gaziano's footsteps. Kozlowski aimed to make Tyco the preeminent company of the next century. He recognized that Tyco's vulnerability lay in its reliance on cyclical industries sensitive to economic fluctuations. In 1997, Kozlowski acquired ADT Security Services, a British-owned company in Bermuda. Structured as a "reverse takeover," this move allowed Tyco to acquire a global presence and ADT's Bermuda registration.
Despite Tyco's apparent success, red flags began to emerge. Unusual financial activity involving substantial transfers into Kozlowski's personal accounts raised concerns. Authorities discovered that Kozlowski attempted to evade approximately $1 million in New York state import taxes. In September 2002, Kozlowski and Mark Swartz were indicted on thirty-eight felony counts, accused of embezzling $170 million from Tyco and fraudulently selling $430 million in stock options. Kozlowski was also alleged to have diverted $242 million from a program meant to assist Tyco employees in purchasing company stock.
Following Kozlowski's resignation, Edward Breen assumed the role of CEO, and Tyco filed a lawsuit against Kozlowski and Swartz seeking over $100 million. The SEC allowed companies to sue insiders who profited from buying and selling company stock within a six-month period. Tyco aimed to hold Kozlowski accountable for his actions, both in terms of misappropriation and the harm inflicted upon Tyco and its shareholders.
In the realm of business ethics, the complexities surrounding ethical decision-making are abundant and multifaceted. This essay has delved into the intricacies of ethical decision-making within organizations, shedding light on the various factors that influence the choices individuals and leaders make. It has also offered a compelling case study of Tyco International's leadership crisis to exemplify the consequences of ethical misconduct.
Understanding the factors that shape ethical decisions is imperative for fostering a culture of responsible decision-making within organizations. Ethical issue intensity, individual factors such as education and locus of control, organizational factors like corporate culture, and the pivotal role of leadership have all been explored. These elements collectively contribute to the ethical fabric of an organization and influence the choices made by its members.
One of the key takeaways from this exploration is the significance of ethical leadership. Ethical leaders set the tone for an organization's values and behaviors. They serve as role models and create an environment where ethical decision-making is encouraged and rewarded. The case of Tyco International serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating the consequences of unethical leadership and the far-reaching impact of such behavior on the organization and its stakeholders.
As organizations navigate the complexities of today's business landscape, it is paramount that they prioritize ethical decision-making. This not only safeguards their reputation but also promotes long-term sustainability and trust among stakeholders. By embracing the principles of ethical leadership, organizations can build a culture that values integrity, transparency, and accountability.
In conclusion, ethical decision-making in business is a dynamic and multifaceted process influenced by numerous factors. To enhance ethical decision-making, organizations must foster a culture that values ethics and integrity at every level. Ethical leaders play a pivotal role in shaping this culture and guiding organizations toward responsible and sustainable practices.
By striving for ethical excellence, businesses can not only weather challenges and crises but also thrive in an environment built on trust, values, and responsible decision-making.
The Importance of Improving Ethical Decision-Making in Business. (2016, Sep 28). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/ethical-decision-making-and-ethical-leadership-essay
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