Business Ethics

BBA & MBA

Lecture 161718
Individual Factors: Moral
Philosophies and Values
Course Lecturer: Farhan Mir
 Chapter Outline
• Moral Philosophy Defined
• Moral Philosophies
• Applying Moral Philosophy to Ethical Decision Making
• Cognitive Moral Development
• White-Collar Crime
• The Role of Individual Factors in Business Ethics
 Moral Philosophy

• Principles or rules that people use to decide

what is right or wrong
– Teleology
• Egoism
• Utilitarianism
– Deontology
– Relativist perspective
– Virtue ethics
 Moral Philosophies Defined
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TqJrvtt9w
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 Teleology

• An act is considered morally right or

acceptable if it produces some desired
result, i.e., pleasure, knowledge, career
growth, a self-interest, or utility
• Assessing the moral worth of a behavior by
looking at its consequences
(consequentialism)
Two Teleological Philosophies

• Egoism: right or acceptable behavior in terms

of consequences for the individual
– Maximize your self-interest, concerned with
the consequences, seeking an alternative
that contributes the most to self-interests
• Utilitarianism: concern with consequences in
terms of seeking the greatest good for the
greatest number of people
– Looking for the greatest benefit for all those
affected by a decision
Moral Philosophies – Utilitarianism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FrZl22_79
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 Deontology

• Focuses on the rights of the individual and

on the intentions associated with behavior,
not on the consequences
• Believes there are some things we should
not do regardless of the utility
 Moral Philosophies - Deontology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWZi-8Wji
7M
 Relativist Perspective

• Ethical behavior is defined by experiences of

the individual and group
• The relativist or significant others are the
basis for defining ethical standards
• Such beliefs may change over time (i.e.,
secrecy vs advertising in the accounting
profession)
 Virtue Ethics

• Consists of trust, self-control, empathy,

fairness, and truthfulness
• Just to explain: remember your favorite
Superman
– He is the savior of mankind – he cannot kill
innocent and otherwise a nice guy but will fight
with the evil to save the world
Moral Philosophies – Virtue Ethics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMblKpkKY
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 Morality calls for
Organizational Justice

• Distributive justice

• Procedural justice

• Interactional justice
 Distributive Justice

• Based on the evaluation of the outcome or

results of the business relationship
• If you perceive that you are underpaid, you
may cut back on your amount of work
output, show up late, or look for another
job
• Evaluates benefits derived and equity
 Procedural Justice

• Based on the processes and activities that

produce the results or outcomes
• Evaluates decision making processes and
level of access, openness, and participation
 Interactional Justice

• Based on an evaluation of the

communication process used in business
relationships
• Evaluates accuracy of information and
truthfulness, respect, and courtesy in the
process
 Moral Philosophy and Ethical Decision
Making

• Individuals use different moral philosophies depending

on whether they are making a personal or making a
work-related decision
 Kohlberg’s Model of Cognitive Moral
Development

Consists of six stages:

1. Punishment and obedience
2. Individual instrumental purpose and exchange
3. Mutual interpersonal expectations, relationships, and
conformity
4. Social system and conscience maintenance
5. Prior rights, social contract or utility
6. Universal ethical principles
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral
Development

1. Punishment or obedience (rules and

authority orientation)
2. Individual instrumental purpose and
exchange (serving one’s own needs)
3. Mutual interpersonal expectations,
relationships, and conformity (emphasis
on others rather than self)
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral
Development

4. Social system and conscience maintenance

(duty to society)
5. Prior rights, social contract, or utility
(upholding basic rights, values, and legal
contracts of society)
6. Universal ethical principle (right is
determined by universal ethical principles
that everyone should follow)
 White Collar Crime

• “Crimes of the suite” do more damage in monetary

and emotional loss in one year than the “crimes of the
street” over several years combined
• The presence of technology has aided WCC
How Personal Values affect Ethical Decision Making
 Individual Factors
• Most business managers do not embrace extreme
philosophies
• A personal moral compass is not sufficient to prevent
ethical misconduct in an organizational context
• The corporate culture and the rewards for meeting
performance goals are the most important drivers of
ethical decision making
• Equipping employees with skills that allow them to
understand/resolve ethical dilemmas will help them
make the right decisions
What about Role of Moral Emotions in Ethical
Decision Making?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w87uqQdf
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