Theory and Practice of E Ethics-IIIT 14.ppt

7/30/2019 Theory and Practice of E Ethics-IIIT 14.ppt

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THEORY AND

PRACTICE OFENGINEERING ETHICS


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ROADMAP

Discuss the individual influences on decision

making

Discuss the situational influences on decision

making.

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Ethical Decision making Process

Fig: ethical decision making processSource: derived from Rest(1986), as cited in Jones, T.M.(1991). Ethical decision making

by individuals in organizations : an issue contingent model. Academy of Management

Review,16:366-95

Recognize

moral

issue

Make

moral

judgment

Establish

moral

intent

Engage in

moral

Behavior


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Individual factors: unique characteristicsof individuals making the relevant

decision. These include factors which are

given by birth(age, gender) and those

acquired by experience and socialization.

Situational factors: particular features of

the context that influence whether the

individual will make an ethical decision(

reward systems, organization culture, job

role).

Influence on ethical decision making


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Ethical Decision making Process

Fig: Framework for ethical decision making

Recognize

moralissue

Make

moraljudgment

Establish

moralintent

Engage in

moralBehavior

Individual factors

Situational factors


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Individual factors

Age and Gender National and cultural characteristics

Education and employment

Psychological factors1. Cognitive moral development

2. Locus of control

3. Personal values4. Personal integrity

5. Moral imagination

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National and cultural characteristics

Individualism /collectivismThis represents the degree to which one is

autonomous and driven primarily to act for

the benefit of ones self, contrasted with amore social orientation that emphasizes

group working and community goals.

Power DistanceThe extent to which the unequaldistribution of hierarchical power and

status are accepted and respected

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National and cultural characteristics

Uncertainty avoidanceOnes preference for certainty, rules and

absolute truths.

Masculinity/ femininity

Emphasis is placed on valuing money and

things(masculinity) versus valuing peopleand relationships

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Psychological factors

Cognitive moral development refers tothe different levels of reasoning that an

individual can apply to ethical issues and

problems.

Locus of control

Personal values

An enduring belief that a specific mode ofconduct or end state of existence is

personally or socially preferable to an

opposite or converse mode of conduct or

end state.

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Psychological factors

Personal integrityAdherence to moral principles or values

Moral imaginationSense of variety of possibilities and moral

consequences of their decisions , the ability

to imagine a wide range of possible issues,consequences and solutions.

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Developing Moral Judgment

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Kohlbergs Levels of Moral Development

Preconventional Level

Conventional Level

Postconventional Level


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Developing Moral Judgment


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Why Managers / EmployeesBehave Ethically

Most of Us

Many of Us

Very Few Of Us

1. To avoid some punishment

2. To receive some reward

3. To be responsive to family, friends,or superiors

4. To be a good citizen

5. To do what is right, pursue some ideal


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Situational factors

There are two main types of situationalinfluences:

Issue related factors- nature of the

ethical issue itself Context related factors- which prompts us

to seek guidance from those around us.

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Issue related factors

Moral intensity: how important the issueis to the decision maker.

Moral framing: how the issue is actuallyrepresented in the organization( some

issues will be presented as important

ethical issues while others are not.

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Moral intensity( proposed by ThomasJones, 1991)

Magnitude of consequences: sum of harmsor benefits.

Social consensus: the degree to whichpeople are in agreement over the ethics

of problem.

Probability of effect: likelihood that the

harms or benefits are actually going to

happen.

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Moral intensity( proposed by ThomasJones, 1991)

Temporal immediacy: speed with whichthe consequences are likely to happen

Proximity: the feeling of nearness ofdecision maker for those affected.

Concentration of effect: heavily on few orlightly on many.

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Moral framing

Moral muteness: people are reluctant toascribe moral terms to their work.

1. Harmony moral talk would disturb

organizational harmony.(confrontation,finger pointing)

2. Efficiency moral talk could cloud issues,

making decision making more difficultand time consuming.

3. Image of power and effectiveness-could

be seen as idealistic and utopian.

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Context related factors

System of reward Authority

Bureaucracy

Work roles Organizational norms and culture

National and cultural context.

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References

Schinzinger, R, and Martin, M., Introduction toEngineering Ethics, McGraw-Hill Higher

Education, 2000.

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Documents

Theory and Practice of E Ethics-IIIT 14.ppt