ETHICS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

[Session 2: Reflection Document]

Contents
Revision of session 1....................................................................................................................................2

Law is moral Minimum................................................................................................................................2

Ethics & Art of Persuasion Developing Arguments & Positions...................................................................2

Case Discussion and Learning......................................................................................................................2

Ethical Dilemma...........................................................................................................................................2

Moral imagination.......................................................................................................................................3

Ethical Principles..........................................................................................................................................3

Ethical Perspectives.....................................................................................................................................4

Relativism & Absolutism:.........................................................................................................................4

Egoism, Altruism, Universalism................................................................................................................4

Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics.................................................................................................4

2|Page
Session 2: Reflection
Revision of session 1
Session started with a narration about an incident where a washing machine exploded and a lady using it
gets injured and their child suffer unfaithful demise, husband files a case against the washing machine
manufactures only later to change the stance that incident happened because of his wife’s carelessness.
“Take away from the story is the level of unethical practices that at times the organizations follow”.

Law is moral Minimum

“Law is moral minimum” as laws are based on many factors so an organization should at least maintain
this standard as in the end “Truth always prevails” and an Change Agent to become successful must go
beyond that.

Ethics & Art of Persuasion Developing Arguments & Positions

Ethical issues and dilemma are not same, there is a big difference between Ethical Issue and Ethical
Dilemmas,

Case Discussion and Learning.

Ethical Breakdown & Ethical Dilemma –

In the case the employee messaged the results because his senior asked him, He could have said no, but
in order to get promotions/unfair benefits he the employee took and unethical action. He had following
Ethical dilemmas

 Overvaluing outcomes- He gave a pass to his unethical actions of cheating clients as he though
out come will be good and result in additional business for his project.

 Ill-conceived goal:

 Motivated Blindness: He overlooked the unethical behavior of his senior & his own as it was in
his interest to remain Ignorant.

Ethical Dilemma
What is Ethical Dilemma?

It is a though process and a state of mind. A person in ethical Dilemma has 2 sides in his mind.

 1st a person has a picture of what should be ethical. What is right and should be morally
done.

 2nd is wrong and unethical action which comes in persons mind which is there by default.

3|Page
There are 3 types of operating strategies.

 Integrity Strategy – Moral management

 Explorative strategy- Immoral management

 Complain strategy- Immoral management

Moral imagination
It states that when we are facing an ethical dilemma, we have to avoid in unethical course of action,

An individual can do ethical assessment and identify unethical course of actions. From its key attributes
like:

1. Provoked

2. Easy

3. Emotional

4. Ill logical

5. Irrational

If these 5 key attributes were present then a person is taking un ethical action.

In order to deal with Ethical Dilemma Change agent must have Ethical principal & Ethical Perspectives

Ethical Principles
1. Don’t harm anyone knowingly, neither the person or the stake holders. Stake holders can be
anyone involved in process. – This is also known as Silver Rule

2. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Treat other people with the concern and
kindness you would like them to show toward you. This is also known as Golden rule

3. Right to Life: Every one has right to life an individual should not temper any ones right to life.
This is called “Law of Reciprocation” By following unethical practices, a person can’t take this
right away from them who deserve it.

4|Page
Ethical Perspectives
It tells what to do in a certain situation.

Relativism & Absolutism:

Relativism- It is moral standard which warry with different context, There is no one shoe fits all
approach, It changes with persons and context.

Absolutism- It may appear it tough but is is not. If just requires the individual to act rationally. It says
Moral standard is absolute and changing situation does not matter at all. And since humans are rational
being we should act rationally and maintain consistency.

Subjectivism: It depends on individual, I LIKE IT approach & moral standard depends on the liking or
disliking of the individual person or group. A person/ group can bend moral as per there will.

Objectivism: Moral Standard are not specific to any human being. It is true and fixed without being
affected by individual personal feeling, human being , place or perspective. It includes every perspective.

Learning: Absolutism and objectivism will be considered as sound perspectives.

Egoism, Altruism, Universalism

Egoism: It is nature of individual will try to seek its own good. It has 2 forms mild forms & Strict form.
Altruism: Individual will self-sacrifice for the company.
Universalism: It states moral duty of individual is to seek greater good of his/her society as a whole. It
says you should think about your self and good of all others. It takes care of the benefits of the stake
holders and everyone. Hence Universalism is sound perspective.

Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics.

Utilitarianism: The consequence of the action is the focal point and it should be achieved with the
greater happiness of the greatest number not he maximum happiness of max number.

Deontology: The action must be the focal point. Check before you act and can it be universal. Are your
action is accepted by everyone. It must be Categorical imperative

Virtue Ethics: The character of individual is in focus, The charater has to be honed. Individual should
have Fortiture, Justice, Temperance, Prudence.

Learning: All have poetical to contribute to the welfare of everyone and hence all 3 will be considered
as sound perspectives.

5|Page