Items Description of Module

Subject Name Human Resource Management

Paper Name Human Values and Indian Ethos
Module Title Relationship Between Human Values, Morality, Ethics and
Ethos
Module Id Module no.: 11
Pre-Requisites Basic knowledge of Human Values
Objectives To study the process of values for managers
Keywords Values, organisation, ethos
 QUADRANT-I

Module 11: Relationship Between Human Values, Morality,

Ethics and Ethos
1. Learning Outcome
2. Introduction
3. Ethics
4. Ethics and morale
5. Features of ethical decisions
6. Values
7. Sources of ethics
8. Code of ethics for Indian industry
9. Principles of ethical behaviour
10. Principles of business ethics
11. Benefits of business ethics
12. Approaches to business ethics
13. Human values
14. Key human values
15. Importance of human values in business organisation
16. Summary

1. Learning Outcome:

After completing this module, the students will be able to learn about the following:

 Ethics
 Ethics and morale
 Features of ethical decisions
 Values
 Sources of ethics
 Code of ethics for Indian industry
 Principles of ethical behaviour
 Principles of business ethics
 Approaches to business ethics
 Human values
  Key human values
 Importance of human values in business organisation
2. Introduction

The word ethics stand for the discipline of the thought process of the human mind that keeps
continuously differentiating the right and wrong and keeps guiding human actions forever in
the life. Ethics are the fundamental principles and expected norms essential for the good
conduct in the society. There is the need of the hour to promote the ethics in business
practices and thus establish the healthy business traditions. Ethics refers to the set of moral
principles that play a significant role in guiding the conduct of managers and employees in
the operation of any organisation. Ethics refer both to the body of moral principles governing
a particular society and the personal normal precepts of the individual. Ethics is the study of
the individual and collective moral awareness, judgement, character and conduct. Morality
refers both to the standards of behaviour by which individuals are judged and to the standards
of behaviour by which people in general are judged in their relationships with others. Ethics
encompasses the system of beliefs that supports a particular view of morality. Values are the
impressive objectives and goals in the human life which brings peace, progress and prosperity
in human life. Values are the basic fundamental beliefs that an individual thinks to be true.
Every individual has a set of values through which he looks at all things and also at the world
at large. It can be said that most of the people will never deviate from their values. The values
can be said to be the guiding principles in one’s life. Values can be defined as a bridge by
which an individual makes a decision regarding good and bad, right and wrong, and most
important and less important. Human values are very important. Without human values the
people are like flowers without fragrance. Human values are the principles, standards, beliefs
and convictions that people adopt as their guidelines in daily activities. Principal human
values are the foundations on which the professional ethics are built. They are the set of the
consistent measures and behaviours that individuals choose to practice in the pursuit of doing
what is right or what is expected of them by the society. Most laws and legislation in society
are shaped by basic human values only.

3. Ethics

The concept of ethics is not new to the society. It is there since long time and is as old as the
origin of the traditional knowledge society. Ethics refers to the set of moral principles that
play a significant role in guiding the conduct of managers and employees in the operation of
any organisation. Ethics refer both to the body of moral principles governing a particular
society and the personal normal precepts of the individual. Ethics is the study of the
individual and collective moral awareness, judgement, character and conduct. Ethics in the
society have been devised to regulate the human beings personal conduct in a most ideal and
pure way which is fully devoid of corrupt practices. Our great epics and other works have
elaborately defined all the components of personal, professional, and social ethics. In fact, a
helping attitude, empathetic, thought process, kindness to fellow beings, selflessness, honesty
and integrity are all the key elements of the ethics. Ethics are the guidelines for the correct
conduct in human interactions and human behaviour. The broad objective of ethics is to study
the human behaviour and make evaluative assessment about them as moral or immoral. It
establishes moral standards and norms of behaviour and makes judgement upon human
behaviour based on these standards and norms and also prescribes moral behaviour and
makes recommendations about hoe to or how not to behave. It also expresses an opinion or
attitude about human conduct.

4. Ethics and morale

The word ethics and morale are used interchangeably and are generally understood to convey
the same meaning whereas some philosophers draw a difference between the two. They argue
that the morale could be visualised as representing the inner strata of the human conscience
and ethics as outer strata. Though ethics and morality seems similar but when we study
deeply there is difference between the two. Morality refers both to the standards of behaviour
by which individuals are judged and to the standards of behaviour by which people in general
are judged in their relationships with others. Ethics encompasses the system of beliefs that
supports a particular view of morality.

5. Features of ethical decisions

Ethics have various characteristics; some of the main characteristics are as follows with
regard to the ethical decisions:

 Ethics involves learning what is right and wrong, and then doing just the right thing.
 Most ethical decisions have extended consequences
 Most ethical decisions have multiple alternatives
 Most ethical decisions have mixed outcomes
 Most ethical decisions have uncertain consequences
  Most ethical decisions have personal implications
6. Values

Values are the impressive objectives and goals in the human life which brings peace, progress
and prosperity in human life. Values are the basic fundamental beliefs that an individual
thinks to be true. Every individual has a set of values through which he looks at all things and
also at the world at large. It can be said that most of the people will never deviate from their
values. The values can be said to be the guiding principles in one’s life. Values can be
defined as a bridge by which an individual makes a decision regarding good and bad, right
and wrong, and most important and less important.

7. Sources of ethics

The major sources of ethics are as follows:

 Genetic inheritance: Various traits are inherited from our forefathers and they come
to us from the generation to generation. These are courage, sympathy, goodness,
generosity and cooperation.
 Legal system: Legal system is a great regulator of ethical and value based
behaviours. Laws reflect the expectations and approvals of the society.
 Religion: Religion is a very great source of our conduct and behaviour in almost all
the societies. Religious books lay down the great ethical norms for the society to
follow and observe them.
 Philosophical system: Philosophers are also a great source of values in our society.
The different philosophical inputs have strong bearing on business decision making
process.
 Culture: Customs, beliefs and standards are transmitted from generation to
generation.
 Code of conduct: These are the codes of set rules and norms that are devised and
designed by the companies we work in. we have to adhere to this moral code of
conduct.
8. Code of ethics for Indian industry

Following are the main code of ethics to be expected from Indian industry. The companies
have to excel in these compartments in order to be ethical and must promote the following:
  Inclusive business
 Accountable business
 Transparent business standards
 Fair competition
 Equal opportunities to all employees
 Health, safety and environment
9. Principles of ethical behaviour

Some of the main directive principles in India which promote the ethical behaviour in social
and business organisations are as follows:

 The state shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting
as effectively as possible.
 The state shall strive to minimise the inequalities in income and endeavour to
eliminate the inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities.
 The state shall direct its policies towards securing to the citizens, men and women
equally, the right to adequate means of livelihood. The ownership and control of the
material resources of the community should be distributed so as to serve the common
good.
 That the cooperation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of
the wealth and means of production in few hands and to the common loss of people.
 There should be equal pay for equal work for both men and women.

10. Principles of business ethics

The business ethics are based on the following six main principles:

 Harm principle: This principle states that there should be avoidance of the
unwarranted harm to people. No stakeholder should suffer any kind of harm by the
business enterprise. Starting from the investors, suppliers, operators, customers,
society and the environment in general should not face any kind of harm at the hands
of business practices and operations.
 Fairness principle: It signifies the fairness of all practices to all the stakeholders
involved in the business.
  Human Rights Principle: Respect towards human rights of all stakeholders of
business should be accorded due care and caution. Human values and dignity of all
employees and stakeholders should be guarded and promoted at all costs by every
business enterprise.
 Autonomy Principle: It states that there should be no interference in the choices and
autonomies of all the people. All employees and stakeholders should have freedom
for their exchange of ideas and opinions on matters pertaining too many and on issues
of common interest.
 Veracity principle: All associated activities of the business should be true,
transparent and clean.
 Stakeholder principle: Business enterprises should consider the interests of all
stakeholders that are affected by any business practice.
11. Benefits of Business Ethics

Following are the main benefits of business ethics:

 Benefits to society: By observing ethics, business organisations help the society.

 Emerges as a credible company: The Company that upholds the ethical values earn
the credibility of all people involved in the business operations.
 Cutting down the costs: Costs are cut down by not resorting to unnecessary unethical
practices.
 Winning trust of employees: Employees repose more trust in companies with ethical
practices.
 Matching public enterprise: Public gets satisfied with the business organisation
which are ethical in their conduct and behaviour.
 Enhanced image building: Image of the ethical companies gets refurbished and
brightened up in the eyes of all stakeholders.
 Overall benefit: All the stakeholders of the company derive immense benefits from
the ethical conduct and behaviour of the company.
12. Approaches to business ethics

There are basically four main approaches to the business ethics. These are explained as
below:
  Traditional approach: Ethics is derived from societal concept of right and wrong. It
has been taken from diverse sources like teleological theories, ethical egoism,
utilitarianism, development ethics theory, virtual ethics theory and social justice
theory. These all are traditional approaches to business ethics.
 Intuitive approach: Business ethics are not only derived from traditions and
customs, it automatically comes into being from behavioural transactions of the
businessmen in society.
 Rational approach: Business needs rationality for determination of ethics.
 Spiritual approach: Here religious moral principles guide businessmen in achieving
the alternative goals.
13. Human values

Human values are very important. Without human values the people are like flowers without
fragrance. Human values are the principles, standards, beliefs and convictions that people
adopt as their guidelines in daily activities. Principal human values are the foundations on
which the professional ethics are built. They are the set of the consistent measures and
behaviours that individuals choose to practice in the pursuit of doing what is right or what is
expected of them by the society. Most laws and legislation in society are shaped by basic
human values only. Today, human values play a major role in the establishment of peace and
protection of the society. Human values are of universal nature. They are shared by all the
human beings irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, nationality, culture and personal
history. Some of the main human values are as follows:

 Civility, respect and consideration

 Honesty, fairness, loyalty and sharing
 Openness, listening, welcoming, acceptance, recognition and appreciation
 Brotherhood, friendship, empathy, compassion and love.
14. Key human values

The prominent human values are as follows:

 Hearty: Have a genuine heart for others. Be someone who displays an honest, warm,
and exuberant personality to those around them. Let your feelings show that you are
genuinely with them.
  Humility: Humility is a great virtue. Don’t lead a life thinking you are a better than
others or are superior to those around you. Modesty and humbleness will leave a far
more everlasting impact on people than if you try to show off.
 Personal integrity: Integrity in life leads to dividends. Always follow your heartfelt
values and never let a situation or anyone steer you way from doing what you feel is
right and correct. Be someone that people can look up to and respect and not someone
who trades on his or her moral values for material gains in the life.
 Incorruptibility: Be rock solid in your life values. Let it be known that you can stand
for the firm for what you believe in and that your morals, values and actions are not
for sale. Don’t let outside forces corrupt the person that you are.
 Sound judgement: Show good judgement and a keen sense in life. Don’t let
prejudices or emotions cloud your judgement.
 Wholesomeness: Be focused on what you want to achieve in life. Give everyone you
interact with your complete and undivided attention.
 Courtesy: Be courteous to all. Practice good manners even though others around you
may not.
 Wisdom: Knowledge distilled is wisdom. Gain from the wisdom that is inside you.
Understand the inner qualities of people.
 Charity: Charity begins at home. Practice kindness, and be gentle towards others.
Learn to extend a hand to help others, even though they themselves may not have
helped you. The more you give, the more you get in return.
 Civility: Have a great civic sense. Graciousness and respect go a long way in life. Be
kind to others and extend courtesy towards them.
15. Importance of human values in business organisation

Human values are very important for all of us especially during the human interactions at the
business places. These are the foundations for any viable life within the society with peaceful
coexistence. Management is the process of optimum utilisation of human and non-human
resources with the intent to accomplish the objectives of the organisation along with the value
addition to the world. Thus, the process of management involves the following three things:

 Optimum utilisation of resources which leads to the efficiency

 Realisation of organisational goals which leads to the effectiveness
 Value addition to the world which suggests social responsibility
Therefore, the human values and ethical behaviour are the essential elements of a healthy
business environment. Abundant access to information and greater business opportunities
than ever before makes the human values and ethics an essential requirement in the modern
business world. For nay organisation to grow, due preference should be given to the highest
priority values contributes to the shared meaning in the organisation and it binds the people
together as a community and provides the people with the common language. It tells people
how to behave for achieving the organisation’s vision and contribute to the organisation’s
vitality and performance. The main benefits of the values for any organisation are as follows:

 Contribute to the organisation’s vitality and performance

 Tell people how to behave to achieve the organisation’s vision.
 Provides people with a common language
 Binds people together as a community
 Contribute to the shared meaning in the organisation
 Enhance the communication and efficiency of the team work
 Strong awareness of value culture with good understanding of the business goals
 Innovation to support organisation competitiveness
 Improves the service to partners’ needs
 Provide base to management for better decision making
16. Summary

The concept of ethics is not new to the society. It is there since long time and is as old as the
origin of the traditional knowledge society. Ethics refers to the set of moral principles that
play a significant role in guiding the conduct of managers and employees in the operation of
any organisation. Ethics refer both to the body of moral principles governing a particular
society and the personal normal precepts of the individual. Ethics is the study of the
individual and collective moral awareness, judgement, character and conduct. Ethics in the
society have been devised to regulate the human beings personal conduct in a most ideal and
pure way which is fully devoid of corrupt practices. Our great epics and other works have
elaborately defined all the components of personal, professional, and social ethics. In fact, a
helping attitude, empathetic, thought process, kindness to fellow beings, selflessness, honesty
and integrity are all the key elements of the ethics. Ethics are the guidelines for the correct
conduct in human interactions and human behaviour. The broad objective of ethics is to study
the human behaviour and make evaluative assessment about them as moral or immoral. It
establishes moral standards and norms of behaviour and makes judgement upon human
behaviour based on these standards and norms and also prescribes moral behaviour and
makes recommendations about hoe to or how not to behave. It also expresses an opinion or
attitude about human conduct. The word ethics and morale are used interchangeably and are
generally understood to convey the same meaning whereas some philosophers draw a
difference between the two. They argue that the morale could be visualised as representing
the inner strata of the human conscience and ethics as outer strata. Though ethics and
morality seems similar but when we study deeply there is difference between the two.
Morality refers both to the standards of behaviour by which individuals are judged and to the
standards of behaviour by which people in general are judged in their relationships with
others. Ethics encompasses the system of beliefs that supports a particular view of morality.
Values are the impressive objectives and goals in the human life which brings peace, progress
and prosperity in human life. Values are the basic fundamental beliefs that an individual
thinks to be true. Every individual has a set of values through which he looks at all things and
also at the world at large. It can be said that most of the people will never deviate from their
values. The values can be said to be the guiding principles in one’s life. Values can be
defined as a bridge by which an individual makes a decision regarding good and bad, right
and wrong, and most important and less important. Human values are very important.
Without human values the people are like flowers without fragrance. Human values are the
principles, standards, beliefs and convictions that people adopt as their guidelines in daily
activities. Principal human values are the foundations on which the professional ethics are
built. They are the set of the consistent measures and behaviours that individuals choose to
practice in the pursuit of doing what is right or what is expected of them by the society. Most
laws and legislation in society are shaped by basic human values only. Today, human values
play a major role in the establishment of peace and protection of the society. Human values
are of universal nature. They are shared by all the human beings irrespective of their caste,
creed, religion, nationality, culture and personal history.