MGMT 4243

Script processing

A cognitive framework that guides thought routine situations; makes behavior automatic.

Philosophical approaches

Consequentialist Theories- An approach where the decision maker focuses on the results of an action or decision as the basis for determining whether the action is a right one Deontological Theories- An approach focused on broad, abstract, universal ethical principles or values determining the right course of action Virtue Ethics- An approach, a good decision is one that considers the character, motivations, and intentions of the actor

Relationship between ethics and the law

Ethics are rules of conduct. Laws are rules developed by governments in order to provide balance in society and protection to its citizens. Ethics comes from people's awareness of what is right and wrong. Laws are enforced by governments to their people. In business there's a big grey area where an act could be ethical, but not legal and the other way around. For example if someone follows a contract it's lawful, but that contract could be unethical in the business world.

Cognitive moral development

Explains how we decide what is the "right thing to do" with three broad levels. The first level is the pre-conventional level it is very self-centered and will view ethical rules as imposed from outside the self. The second level was conventional level and is still externally focused on others, but are less self-centered and have internalized the shared moral norms of society or some segment such as a family or workgroup. The third and final level was the post-conventional level has developed beyond identifications with the expectations, rules, and laws of others, and makes decisions more autonomously by looking to ethical principles of justice and rights.

Obedience to authority/Milgram experiments/McDonald's

If someone believes that someone is more powerful or in charge of them they will believe everything and do as exactly as they say, no matter how crazy the task is.

Machiavellianism

Individuals who act in self-interested, opportunistic, deceptive, and manipulative ways to win no matter what the cost or how it affects others are likely to have high levels of the personality characteristic

Moral awareness and factors that mute moral awareness

Initial steps in the ethical decision-making process, personnel recognize that a situation or issue is one that raises ethical concerns and must be thought about in ethical terms

Formal systems

Of culture are those that are officially sanctioned or recognized Selection System Policies/Codes Orientation/Training Performance Management Authority Structure Decision Processes

Ethical Decision-Making Process

Refers to the process of evaluating and choosing among alternatives in a manner consistent with ethical principles. In making ethical decisions, it is necessary to perceive and eliminate unethical options and select the best ethical alternative. There are 3 steps in the EDMP the first step is moral awareness, then ethical judgement, and then final step is ethical behavior. This helps in the work place because it provides employees with a frame work to decide if what they are about to do is ethical or not.

Corporate social responsibility and the CSR pyramid

Responsibility beyond economic and legal obligations - to act ethically and to contribute in a positive way to society

Roles

Strong forces guiding behavior and workers are assigned roles that can powerfully influence their behavior in ethical dilemma situations.

Moral disengagement

The tendency for some individuals to deactivate their internal control system in order to feel okay about doing unethical things. Gather the facts Define the ethical issues Identify the affected parties Identify the consequences Identify the obligations Consider your character and integrity Think creatively about potential actions Check your gut

Informal systems

Unofficial elements of culture Norms Rituals Myths/Stories Language

The Stanford Prison Experiment

Was an experiment where they simulated a prison experience. They divided up two groups of average people and one group were the guards and the other was the prisoners. The guards slowly recognized how much power they had and let it get to their heads. They started to abuse the inmates and the study had to be shut down after 5 days

Locus of Control

is a personality trait (or individual difference) that describes how individuals perceive the reasons for the outcomes in their lives. A person characterized by internal LOC believes that they controls their own fate. A person characterized by external LOC believes that one's fate is determined by external forces such as luck, fate, or a powerful being. LOC is important for understanding unethical behavior in the workplace because people with an internal LOC tend to take personal responsibility for their actions. This means that we are likely to see less unethical behavior from them (in comparison to those with an external LOC). An organization can benefit by learning about the composition of the LOC of its employees; and then using this information to foster an appropriate organizational climate to support those employees (for example, we may want to give people with internal LOC positions with greater responsibility).

Ethical culture

is a slice of the larger organizational culture that represents the aspects of organizational culture that affect the way employees think and act in ethics-related situations

Cognitive baises

is a systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment. Individuals create their own "subjective reality" from their perception of the input. An individual's construction of reality, not the objective input, may dictate their behavior in the world. Thus, cognitive biases may sometimes lead to perceptual distortion, inaccurate judgment, illogical interpretation, or what is broadly called irrationality.