Values

General term referring to those things that people

collectively consider to be good, bad, desirable, justified,
unjustified etc.
Values determine what people do and how others react?
Basic convictions that a mode of conduct is personally or
socially preferable
The thoughts and behavioral patterns that the members
of a society learn through language and other forms of
symbolic interaction, their customs and traditions, habits,
beliefs and values creating a common viewpoints which
bind them together as a social entity.
Value system is a hierarchy based on the ranking of an
individuals values in terms of their intensity
Features
Reflect standard of morality
Central to the core of person
Permanent (does not change)
Guide actions
Present everywhere
Learnt not taught
Values has attributes
Content stresses that a particular code of
conduct is necessary
Intensity how important that particular code of
conduct is
Types of Values
Individual vs group
Inherent vs imbibed
Terminal vs instrumental
General vs business
Classification of Values
Catering to survival needs
Catering to physiological needs
Catering to psychological needs
Catering to social/esteem needs
Catering to self-actualization
Relevance of Values
Social organization
Human factor
Long term vision
Regulatory framework
Exemplary business/competitive
advantage
Must for power centers

Norms
Expectation for proper behavior
(not requirement differs from law)
Already set criteria for behavior
Ways an individual is expected to
behave/act in a given situation
Collective expectation regarding certain
type of behavior
Cannot be published and cannot be
enforced, may not be obeyed
Not consistent or universal

Beliefs
Standards of thought
A way in which society want others to think
Criteria to thought a way in which one
expect others to think about given concept
Intention is to encourage the way of
thinking and attitude which eventually
result in expected behavior
Different from norms not action oriented.
Only the way of thinking
Moral standards
Is a set of values, norms and beliefs
Includes the norms and beliefs we have about
the kind of actions, thought process we have are
morally right or wrong and the values we have
are morally good or bad
Moral standards
Deals with matters which we believe can seriously
benefit or harm/injure human beings
Not established or changed by decision or behaviors
of authoritative bodies/beings
Based on impartial considerations
Preffered to other values including self interest
Morality
Like ethics ethics are extension of
morals
Is a standard that an individual or group
has about what is right or wrong
Principles and values that we have
internalized
actions
Moral standards
In line with
Ethical
Not In line with
Un Ethical
Moral standards
Ethical decision Making
To solve ethical dilemma faced in
business decision
Often arises when laws are either unclear
or in variance with cultural values
Positioned between two or more
legal/ethical systems
Different parties involved like
Clients, customers, community, stockholders,
government, superiors, peers, subordinates,
enterprises etc.
Conceptual framework for decision
classification
Corporate
Decision
Ethical
Illegal Legal
Un-Ethical
Ethical Dimensions
Goals
Goal multiplicity
Constituencies priority, acceptability
Methods
Essential/incidental/extraneous
Motives
Hidden or known
Shared or selfish
consequences

Approaches to EDM
Utilitarian Approach
Conceived in 19
th
century by Jeremy Benthem and
J S Mill
To choose the action that produces greatest good
for greatest number
Identify the courses of action available
See who all will be affected by each action and
assess benefits or harms derived from each
Choose the action that produce maximum benefits
and least harm

Approaches to EDM
Rights Approach
Conceived in 18
th
century by Immanuel Kant
Focuses on the individuals right to choose for him/herself.
People have a fundamental and moral right to choose freely
what they will do with their lives and right to have these
choices respected
Right to the truth, right of privacy, right of not to be injured, right
to what is agreed
It is a violation to use people in ways they do not freely
choose
While deciding the action is ethical or unethical, we must ask,
does the action respect the moral rights of anyone?
Actions are wrong to the extent they violate the rights of
individuals.
Approaches to EDM
Fairness or Justice Approach
Has its roots in the teaching of Aristotle
equals should be treated equally and unequals
unequally
The question to be asked is How fair an action is?
Does it treat everyone in the same way or it shows
favoritism and discrimination?
Both favoritism and unjust are wrong


Approaches to EDM
Common Good Approach
Assumes that the society comprises of individuals
whose own good is in line with communitys good.
Common good is certain general condition that are
equally . to everyones advantage
We focus on ensuring that the social policies,
systems, institutions, environment are beneficial to
all


Approaches to EDM
Virtue Approach
Virtue are attitudes or character trait that enable us
to be and act in a way to develop our highest
potential, to pursue the ideals we have adopted.
These ideals are discovered through thoughtful
reflection on what kind of people we have the
potential to become
In dealing with an ethical problem we might ask,
what kind of person should I be? What will promote
the development of character within myself and
community?

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What benefits and harm will each
course of action produce and which
alternative will lead to best overall
consequences?
What moral rights do the affected
parties have and which course of action
best respect those rights?
Which course of action treats everyone
the same except when morally
justifiable and does not show favoritism
or discrimination?
Which course of action is in lime with
the common good?
Which course of action develops moral
values?
Decision Making Process
Describe the problem
Determine whether there is an ethical issue or an
ethical dilemma
Identify and rank the key values and principles
Gather your information
Review any applicable Code of Ethics
Determine the options
Select a course of action
Put your plan into action.
Evaluate the results

Describe the Problem
Ethical problems are always embedded in
a context.
Circumstances impact upon the problem
definition (for whom does the problem
exist? What is the scenario?)
Beware of the tendency to look toward the
clinical or purely legal perspective for
guidance.
Determine Whether There Is an
Ethical Dilemma
Dilemma greek word : di- two, limos-horns. i.e. Two horned
Arises when
X versus Y or ____ versus ____
good versus bad options OR good versus good options OR bad versus bad options
Dilemma becomes ethical when the good or bad options seem to have a
moral component (eg. confidentiality vs. prevention of harm, self determination vs.
workers perception of clients best interests, freedom vs. safety)
Terms of an ethical dilemma must be ethical in nature, not legal. Means,
If something is a law, you then have the ethical choice to follow the law or
not.
If you find it easy to articulate the perceived best interest as being on one
side, you might ask, who determines what is in the best interest? You?
Courts? Client? Family?
Remember, most individuals will probably perceive their own preferences
as being in their own best interest.


Identify and Prioritize the Key
Values and Principles
What reasons can you provide for
prioritizing one competing value over
another?
Understand that a resolution to a dilemma
which goes against an individuals
personal set of values has very little
chance of success.
Gather Your Information
Do you have all the known facts?
Do you understand the applicable laws or
legalities?
Do you have all relevant policies available to
review?
Are you clear about the individuals views and
personal values?
* Dont hesitate to seek out consultation.
Review Any Applicable Code of
Ethics
Not legal documents, but professionals are
bound to code and can be sued for breach
Look for the following:
-- mission statement
-- values base of the organization
-- ethical principles to guide practice
-- ethical standards
Codes can be revised or updated as needed

Determine the Options
List all possible actionable options
Weigh the cost/benefits of each option
Seek out additional points of view
Step Seven: Select a Course of
Action
Discard the least desirable option.
Discard any which you can not put into
action.
Discard any options which violate the
values systems of those affected.
Recognize that your final choice will be
impacted by your personal values.
Put Your Plan Into Action
Reflects on the outcome with a sense
that you have truly approached this ethical
dilemma with the best of intentions and to
the best of your ability.
Evaluate
Evaluate the consequences for each
person involved (client, family members,
co-workers, agency, etc.)
Consider submitting your most difficult
cases to an ethics review board or peer
consultants for feedback.
Also
Discuss the case with your ethical review
committee or board

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