Analysis of Ethical Decision Making - Literature review Example

Ethical Decision Making Introduction Apparently, ethical decision making could be considered as one component of the managementthat cannot be ignored at whatever cost. In fact, most businesses across the world require a strong management that is closely monitored by professional managers. In turn, these managers are expected to undertake their duties in a professional manner and make decisions that are ethical. Furthermore, the expectations from shareholders and the potential customers / clients are that the ethical principal is practiced throughout. 1 Generally speaking, the ethical decision making for managers entails ethics laden responsibilities that directly affects people or the natural environment at some point. Nevertheless, the ethical roles of managers are that their decision making processes be aimed at maximizing the wealth of the shareholders and the business in general. As such, the utilization of the ethics principal in decision making processes ensure that the laws are strictly observed and that individuals have no chance to manipulate them through dubious activities such as corruption, fraud among others. 2 Ethical Leadership Most businesses across the world have emphasized on ethical leadership which articulates that there must be a combination of personal morality and the professional morality in order to generate an ethical decision making process. In terms of personal morality there must be a combination of characters such as honesty, trustworthiness, integrity among others. Similarly, the professional aspect should entail forthrightness in relation to the business and the society at large. Additionally, morality involves behaviors such as doing the right things, being concern about the welfare of other people, and being open with issues. Essentially, the principal of ethics is thought to be applicable mostly in difficult circumstances that require individuals to make the right decisions. Consequently, managers are expected to practice various approaches that are related to ethical decision making such as egoism approach, deontology approach and utilitarianism approach which ought to serve as guidance in their profession. 3 Egoism approach An egoism approach in ethical decision making revolves around the actions of an individual pertaining to making a particular decision. It argues that any good action is best approved by an individual. As such, an individual is entitled to his or her own interests, happiness, desires and hopes. Moreover, the approach argues that once an individual encounters a tough decision he or she does not have to consider the rest of the world. In light of this, managers who seek to use this approach in their profession are at the verge of going against the laws and regulations of the country and those that have been placed by their businesses. 4 Deontology Approach A deontology approach in ethical decision making is mainly dependent on the right or wrong that given actions have in contrast to the consequences that they might be perceived to bring forth. As such, it is argued that what makes an action right or wrong is its conformity with the concept of morality. In most cases, this approach is affiliated to the Golden rule of rightness that is present in Christianity, Judaism and other religions. Thus, the right side of the action is based on God and the wrong side is directly associated with evil. In regard to this, managers who choose to make decisions based on this approach need to understand that decisions are not always based on the consequences they are perceived to bring forth but on the decision themselves. At times, the concept of righteousness takes more precede in this approach to the extent that some scholars argue that morality supersedes immorality5. Utilitarianism Approach A utilitarianism approach in ethical decision making articulates that the decisions should be based on the happiness and satisfaction of the majority in the society. Moreover, scholars affiliated to this approach argue that any action is morally right or wrong depending on the consequences attached to it. Importantly, this approach is common in management issues across the world especially in cost benefit analysis. However, this approach might not be sufficient in decision making processes particularly in moral conflict. Thus, the benefits and harms associated with utilitarian analysis to different parties are continually evaluated. Furthermore, these benefits and harms give an assessment in terms of degree value. At times, this approach bases its analysis on the good of a group or collective over that of an individual. In a general sense, having the interest of a group (shareholders) over an individual (managers) is the best way to avoid occurrence and reoccurrence of ethical dilemmas in businesses and organizations as well.6 Managers and Ethics in Organizations In the recent past, most managers have found it challenging to discuss matters that pertain to ethics in their organizations. Essentially, some of them have not ascertained to the fact that managerial functions are embodied in ethical principles. Management practices that are ethically orientated assist managers in running their companies effectively thus ensuring that they remain competitive in the market. 7 Consequently, effective and competitive ethics continually create shared sense of meaning, goals and purposes that connect the employees to a given organization through equipping employees with valuable moral skills that are necessary, and ensuring that business processes are emphasized more than the hierarchy and structure. Thus, businesses with such ethically based approaches concentrate more on the development of employees and the business where individuals are perceived as the end and not the means to the end.8 Conclusion Ethical decision making is the fundamental process that should be embraced by any business or organization that is willing to prosper. In fact, top management should go through thorough training on ethics. Moreover, businesses should be in a position to make decisions based on the best approach and/ or a combination of the same. Once this is done, occurrence of ethical dilemma will be automatically reduced and the effectiveness of ethics will be applied. Bibliography: Archer, Crina, Hartman Laura and Werhane Patricia. Obstacles to Ethical Decision-Making: Mental Models, Milgram and the Problem of Obedience. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013. Ferdinand, Nicole, and Paul Kitchin. Events Management: An International Approach. Los Angeles: SAGE.2012. Ferrell, O. and Fraedrich John. Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases. Stamford, Connecticut: Cengage Learning, 2014. Hattingh, Johan. On the ethical analysis of value issues in public decision-making. South African Journal of Philosophy; 23, 3 (2004); 213-225. May, Steve. Case studies in organizational communication ethical perspectives and practices. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.2013. Peljhan, Darja, and Metka Tekavčič. "Effects of strategic change from defender to prospector on the use of management control systems". World Journal of Social Sciences. 2, 1 (2012) : 45-53. Sims, Ronald. Ethics and Organizational Decision Making: A Call for Renewal. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1994. SpringerLink (Service en ligne). Journal of management & governance. [Dordrecht]: Kluwer Academic Publishers. 1997. Read More