Utilising Appreciative Inquiry (AI) to create a vision for ethics in the

profession of Industrial Psychology in South Africa  

Chereen Brown Leon van Vuuren

Freddie Crous (Department of Industrial Psychology

& People Management, UJ)  

1. Context  •  Industrial Psychology is statutorily positioned as a

specialised field within the broader profession of psychology.

•  Ascribes to the Professional Code of Ethical Conduct as published by the Professional Board for Psychology of the HPCSA.

•  Shortcoming = code may not be totally aligned with the practice of industrial psychologists.

•  A need to build a sustainable ethics culture within the profession

•  Professionals adhere to ethics because they believe in it and because they want to.

•  ETHICS VISION

Agenda  1. Background 2. The alternative 3. Method 4. Results: Focus Group 5. 4-D Cycle 6. Results: AI 7. The Ethics Vision 8. The Oath 9. Conclusion

1. Background  

vs

Traditional Approach An Alternative

Approach

2. The alternative  

Identify an approach that uncovers & embraces the positive dimensions of ethics – inform the vision

3. Method  •  Mixed mode approach (qualitative research)

- Focus Group (Content analysis)

- AI (Positive action research intervention guided by the 4-D cycle)

4. Results: Focus Group  

•  Ethics is an imperative element of the profession

•  Ethical obligation to stakeholders •  Accountable •  Branded as an ethical profession •  Guided by a set of ethical values & code •  Being ethical = opportunities •  Being unethical = risks

5. 4-D Cycle (AI)

       

   

The appreciative inquiry 4-D Cycle (Cooperrider et al., 2008, p.5)

Discovery “What gives life” APPRECIATING

Dream “What might be?”

ENVISIONING IMAPCT

Design “What should be – the

ideal?” CO-CONSTRUCTIING

Destiny “How to empower

and adjust/improvise?” SUSTAINING

Define

Affirmative Topic Choice

6. Results: AI  

•  Ethics = a way of live = a sense of identity, our “beacon” = enable us to restore dignity in the

workplace = enables IPs to transcend the individual

as well as their credibility = help to ensure the systematic well being

of all stakeholders

•  Values & integrity lead to sustainability •  Internal professional accountability  

Discovery “What  gives  life”  

6. Results: AI  

Think 5 years down the line. How would you want our profession to be described?

•  Make a difference •  Follow a scientist practitioner model •  Balance the needs & interest of the profession

with the needs of stakeholders •  Concern for human well-being •  Experts on human behaviour •  Formation of an expert support council •  Provide professional service •  Greater good •  Ethics = our foundation

Dream “What might

be?”

6. Results: AI  

•  Ethical values needed to fulfil the vision: – Accountability – Diversity –  Integrity – Professionalism – Dignity – Competence – Trust – Greater good – Objectivity – Respect

Design “What should

be – the ideal?”

 

6. Results: AI  

•  Strategies selected to make this vision a living document:

– Develop a value-based credo – Visible symbol to new IPs – Management structure/system – Training – Rewards – Communicate (i.e. help desk)

Destiny “How to

empower & adjust?”

 

7. The Ethics Vision  

The Art of being ethical

Our Vision: Balancing organisational prosperity with human flourishing

A commitment to ethics by industrial psychologists

7. The Ethics Vision  

      This commitment to ethics is about how we, as members of the unified profession of industrial psychology, strive towards balancing what is good for us with what is good for our primary stakeholders, which includes our clients, our colleagues as well as society. It is important that we value and respect their diversity and engage with them in both a professional and accountable manner with their best interests at heart. As scientist practitioners, we have an ethical obligation to be competent experts on human behaviour within the organisational context. As professionals, we are committed to continuously developing our skills as well as ourselves.

7. The Ethics Vision  

Industrial psychology is a profession whereby ethics is our foundation and the glue of our profession. Everything we do is centred on the greater good and concern for human well-being in the workplace. Ethics is the core of our professional being and it is thus our responsibility and duty to behave ethically. We aim to create a sustainable ethical culture within the profession of industrial psychology and as professionals we strive to be ethical role models.

7. The Ethics Vision  Our ethical values

 •  Respect: We uphold the dignity of our stakeholders and treat

them with respect and empathy. •  Integrity: We do the right thing fairly and consistently. We

also stand up for what is wrong and do something about it. •  Accountability: We take responsibility for our decisions and

ownership for our conduct. •  Diversity: We value and respect individual differences and

encourage diversity within our profession. •  Trust: We strive to instill a sense of confidence in our

stakeholders by being honest and by providing truthful information and feedback.

•  Objectivity: We make decisions based on valid, reliable, unbiased information. Practice is evidence-based and we aim to avoid bias. All information is evaluated with a critical eye.

8. The Oath  

Industrial Psychologist’s Oath

•  As an industrial psychologist, my foremost responsibility is to promote and balance organisational and societal prosperity with human flourishing.

•  I accept that work forms an integral part of people’s lives, that organisations cannot thrive without the commitment and contribution of people.

•  I follow in the footsteps of past and current industrial psychologists who gave our discipline and profession scientific credibility.

•  I will value and utilise their contributions, methods and wisdom to assist individuals, groups and organisations in making the most of the opportunities afforded by the world of work.

8. The Oath  •  I am professionally and ethically bound to serve with

integrity, respect and dignity. •  I am committed to doing the right thing fairly and

consistently and to causing no harm. •  I endeavour to be just, to respect individual

differences and to encourage equality and diversity. I will speak out against all wrongs.

•  As a scientist in this discipline, I have an obligation to conduct all inquiry with the necessary scientific rigour.

•  I will uphold my expert knowledge of human experience and behaviour in the world of work. I will continually develop myself and my knowledge and skills.

8. The Oath  •  I will practise my profession with due care and make

decisions based on valid, reliable and unbiased information.

•  My practice will be evidence-based and I will evaluate all information critically and impartially.

•  I strive to live up to the expectations associated with this worthy profession. I am professionally responsible and accountable in all of my actions and interactions.

•  Therein lies the trust that others place in me.

 

9. Conclusion  •  An alternative way exists!!!! (AI)   •  Outcome = an ethics vision that is

positive and developmental

•  Platform for a sustainable ethics culture

•  Creation of an Oath  

Thank you