PRESENTATION

ON

BUSINESS ETHICS
&
ETHICAL DILEMMA
 WHAT IS ETHICS
 Ethics may be referred to some standardized form of conduct or
behavior of individuals understood and accepted in a particular field
of activity

 The work “ETHICS” has its origin in Greek word “Ethics” means
character, norms, morals and ideals prevailing in a group and
society.

 Ethics is a mass of moral principles or set of values about what

conduct ought to be. They give an idea what is right or wrong, true
of false, fair or unfair, just or unjust, proper or improper, e.g.
Honesty, obedience, equality, fairness, etc and respect and then
doing the right thing
WHEN AND WHERE DO WE
DEVELOP ETHICAL VALUES?

According to those who study the history

and philosophy of ethics, infants would not
survive without a nurturer who teaches
them about right and wrong behavior. In
human society, a series of nurturer and
teachers influence the ethical views of
each individual.
 BUSINESS ETHICS

 Comprises principles and standards

that guide behavior in the world of
business
 Is
right or wrong, acceptable or
unacceptable behavior within the
organization
 Is determined by key stakeholders
 DEFINITION
Carter McNamara has defined: “Business ethics
is generally coming to know what is right and
wrong in the workplace and doing what is right-
this is in regard to efforts of products/ services
and in relationships with stakeholders.”

the workplace sensitizes managers and staff to

how they should act so that they retain a
strong moral compass. “Attention to ethics in
 HISTORY
 Interest in business ethics has been increasing
since 1960’s
 Interest has been spurred by headlines of
business scandals
 A 1982 study reported that of the Fortune 500
companies,115 companies (23%) had been
convicted of at least one major crime or paid
penalties of serious misbehavior
 Is the importance of business ethics declining in
business and government practices?
 Greater focus on ethics, morals and values.
 Why study business ethics
& social issues?

 Inan Ethics Officer Assoc. Survey,

48% of employees indicated that
they had done something unethical
or illegal in the past year
 Annual cost of unethical or illegal
acts by U.S. employees: $400
billion
 Free Choice
Behavior about which law has no say
and for which an individual or
organization enjoys complete
freedom

Example: An individual's choice of a

marriage partner or religion.
Factors Affecting Ethical
Choices
1.The Manager
Level or stage of moral
development
Learned Ethics

2.The Organization
Systems
Culture
 Moral Development
Pre conventional Level = concerned
with external rewards and
punishments
Conventional Level = conform to the
expectations of peers and Principled)
Level = individuals develop a
personal society
Post conventional (, internal set of
standards and values. (About 20% of
adults)
Levels of Moral Development
 Learned ethics
 Fairness & Honesty in advertising
 communications with superiors,
clients, and government.
 Problems relating to special gifts,
entertainment, and kickbacks.
 Better work environment
 The Organization
Systems
 Explicit
rules and policies
 Reward system

Culture
 Common Values
 Traditions
 Ethical Dilemma
A situation that arises when all alternative choices or behaviors have
been deemed undesirable.
 Dilemma –confusion and terrible situation, involve a range of action
&their corresponding consequences.
 Potentially negative ethical consequences, making it difficult to
distinguish right from wrong.
 FACTORS THAT AFFECT ETHICAL
BEHAVIOUR

INDIVIDUAL ISSUE
CHRACTERECTICS INTENSITY

ETHICAL /
ETHICAL STAGES OF MODERATORS UNETHICAL
MORAL
DILEMMA DEVELOPMENT
BEHAVIOUR

ORGNIZATIONAL
STRUCTURAL CULTURE
CHARECTERISTICS
OF ORGANIZATION
 Criteria for
Ethical Decision Making
 Most ethical dilemmas involve
 A conflict between needs of the part & whole.
 The individual versus the organization.
 The organization versus society as a whole.
 What causes unethical
behavior
 Stress

 Confusion

 Pressure to perform at expected levels

 Competition within the industry

 No knowledge
 Factors Influencing Organizational
Ethical Behavior...
 Ethical Issue Intensity +
 Individual Factors +
 Corporate Culture (including
significant others and opportunity)
= Ethical or Unethical Behavior
 Some of the Unethical
Business practices are :
 Cutting corners on quality
 Covering up incidents
 Abusing or lying
 Lying customers
 Stealing from the company
 Taking credits from co-workers ideas/work
 Taking or giving bribe
 UNETHICAL BUSINESS
PRACTICES (contd…..)
 Government corruption
 Financial scandals
 Product safety
 discrimination
 Sexual harassment
 Firing an employee for whistle blowing
 Divulging confidential information
COMMON UNETHICAL ACTS

 Lying to supervisors
 Falsifying records
 Alcohol and drug abuse
 Conflict of interest
 Stealing
 Gift/entertainment receipt in
violation of company policy
 Who is going to resolve
dilemma?
 Manager
 Employee

MANAGERS
Nash gives a list of questions to help
managers to take ethical decisions.
EMPLOYEE
Should be trained to deal with ethical
dilemmas
 Questions asked by managers?

 Have u find the problem accurately?

 How would u define the problem if u stood on the
other side of the fence?
 How did the situation occur in the 1st place?
 To whom and to what do u give loyalty as a person
 What is ur intention in making this decision?
 How does this intention compare with the probable
results?
 Whom would ur decision or action injure?
 Training employees to resolve
ethical dilemmas
 The step by step process known as believe.
 Background –history of the problem
 Estimate –initial estimation
 List- possible solutions to the problem
 Impact – whom will the solutions affect?
 Eliminate- eliminate to totally acceptable solution
 Values –organizational values
 Evaluate –what is better or worse solution?
 “What’s in it for me to be
ethical?”
A more accurate perception of the world around you,
-
follow your conscience.

-Have the courage to do what is right and do try new

things even when it is hard or costly.

-Don’t loose heart if you fail or don’t get what you

want

-A stronger personality, and greater likelihood of being

happy in life
 Global Ethical Issues
Wages and hours

Child labor

Discrimination

Legal and ethical business practices

Product safety and quality

Environment
 CONSIDER
CONSEQUENCES
Is it fair ?
 IS IT ETHICAL ?
Does it hurt anyone ?

 IS IT LEGAL ? Have I been honest with

those affected?

 IS IT OK ? Can my conscience live

with this decision ?

 IS IT RIGHT ?
 CONCLUSION
In the last few years we have seen a drastic change in
society as well as in all facets of the business world.
The consumer, today, is more aware of his rights
and his requirements. He demands the best quality
at the regular prices. Companies today need to
incorporate a strong or responsible culture to face
the instance reaction of the consumer.
Today’s market calls for stringent business ethics to
be imposed in the corporate world.
Thankyou
everyone