Final Flashcards
prep for final (83 cards)
1
Q
Deontology
A
Actions judged by the motives and intentions of the actor. Based on thoughts of actor.
A person asking for money could be both ethical and unethical. If you see beggar on street, you will give him money if you think he’ll buy food; won’t if you think he will buy drugs
2
Q
Teleology
A
Action judged by its likelihood of achieving good and proper results; Something done in the best interest of the company (firing 30% of work force) could save the company from collapse; Do harm to some, but best for the whole. Judgment by result of action
3
Q
Relativism
A
All actions are judged in relation to time, place, and circumstances. There are no objective standards of right or wrong. A person stealing could be trying to save their family from starvation. No objective is right or wrong. Don’t know what someone is going through until you know.
4
Q
Virtue Ethics
A
Development of a righteous character is the standard. A virtuous person will act in a morally righteous way. Develop a good character and the morality will come.
5
Q
Positive Law
A
A rule from a superior to an inferior that the inferior habitually obeys, with sanctions imposed if the rule is broken. Hitler and the Holocaust. The body of conventional, or written, law of a particular society. Sometimes reflects Natural Law. Abortion/same sex marriage are current issues.
6
Q
Jurisprudence
A
Examines the values or ethics associated with positive law. Arguing why things should or should not be law. The science of philosophy of law.
7
Q
Ethic of Justice
A
There should be rules and equity. Due process. A chance to be heard. There must be a process in order to do something.
8
Q
Ethic of Power
A
Government must be empowered to enforce the laws and bring order. There must be a power. Used by dictators and government to enforce rules as they see fit (Can’t have people rioting)
9
Q
Ethic of Custom
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Longstanding custom reflects what is known and observed by most people over time. People are familiar with it, but it can sometimes be unfair. Unofficial rules that people abide by (walk on right side of the road)
10
Q
Ethic of Norms Conduct
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How most people act. It can be above or below positive law. Speed limit is 60, but everyone goes 70… change the law to comply with normal conduct.
11
Q
Ethic of Civilization
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We restrain our base impulses and move to a higher level of civilization. We do not kill, rape, etc
12
Q
Ethic of Utility
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Promoting the greatest good for the greatest number. Utilitarianism. Vaccinations are required for the greater good. A law is passed because it is best for community and people as a whole
13
Q
Beneficence
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Doing good deeds. In may conflict with Utilitarianism. You do good deeds and that makes you a good person.
14
Q
Success
A
A social value. Defined within a particular society, involving comparison with others as well as “doing well” according to a person’s own goals. It summarizes the whole of the good life. Must judge in relationship to others and varies by culture (material vs. immaterial)
15
Q
Hedonism
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Life in pursuit of pleasure
16
Q
Theory X
A
Assumes that people are basically lazy and dislike work, and so must be tempted with rewards and punishments. No internal motivation.
17
Q
Theory Y
A
Assumes people want to work and want to assume responsibilities. People are self motivated
18
Q
Theory Z
A
Motivation comes from being part of a group in supportive institution. A theory of participation.
19
Q
Communitarianism
A
The need for community values binds us as a multicultural society. We value people and each other and have similar ideals.
20
Q
Puritan Ethic
A
Emphasizes hard work, abstaining from excessive pleasures and balancing success with humanity. Hard work, wealth, and succes are proof of a person’s good character. Hard works leads to and shows success. The American Way
21
Q
Asceticism
A
The wholesale rejection of the values of wealth and success. Most powerfully preached by those who have succeeded and renounced the vanity of ambition and success, rather than cynically by those who have failed or chosen not to compete. People who reject enviable traits are successful. Examples include Gandhi and Mother Theresa.
22
Q
John Calvin
A
Began to change Christian philosophy that secular wealth was not opposed to , but rather a sign of, a person’s eventual salvation
23
Q
Adam Smith
A
Published The Wealth of Nations in 1776 said that individuals, left to themselves to pursue their own economic interests will ultimately benefit not only themselves but society as a whole. An “invisible hand” would guide apparently chaotic individualism to collective good. This is the idea of “the market.”
24
Q
Freedom of the Market
A
Not possible unless other freedoms exist - freedom of speech, assembly, association and the freedom to pursue our own material happiness
25
Regulation
Exists to protect the market and to guarantee the conditions within which an industry can thrive and survive, and to protect the public good and to provide safeguards for consumers. There must be rules to protect the integrity of the “game.” Prevent monopolies and establish anti-trust laws and safety regulations
26
Corporate Culture
The conceptual foundation on which a company builds and the self-image from which all else begins. Includes the clientele of the corporation, the kinds of pressures within the organization, and the openness and mutual concern of both peers and superiors.
27
Corporate Codes of Ethics
It is that general sense of values and identity shared by virtually everyone in a corporation. It should be an explicit expression of a set of values that has in fact governed by a company and its employees for some time, as opposed to an attempt to persuade or threaten employees into compliance with a set of principles which do not play a significant role in the day to day behavior of its employees. it should not be just a hypothetical attempt at public relations.
28
Business Practices
Established systems of behavior within the business world, an industry, or a given company. Different industries have different practices.
29
Obvious Rules
Don’t intentionally lose money, but its okay to take a calculated gamble - a business risk. There can be corporate philanthropy (giving money away) but that is within the “rules” of the practice. Practices establish size of management salaries, dividends paid, employee benefits, public relations, etc. Contract must be honored, quality control must be observed, procedures must be followed. If these practices are not honored the “game” will fall apart.
30
Roles - List 3
A practice creates roles for its participants. Workers, managers, etc. Defined by the skills, responsibilities, duties and interrelations within the practice. The role usually precedes the person and usually survives the person. Nothing is worse for the individual or the company than for a person to be forced into the wrong role.
Roles of Managers:
1. Figurehead: represents the company in public
2. Leader: drives the business & makes things happen
3. Liaison: makes sure there is coordination and everyone is pushing in the same direction
4. Monitor: watches for changes in the market, world, government, environment, customer needs
5. Disseminator: makes sure new policies are realized and training is implemented
6. Spokesman: speaks for the company when they need to communicate with the outside world, including investors, customers, media
7. Entrepreneur: help bring change and innovation - out of the box thinking
8. Disturbance Handler: resolves disputes and is brought in to call people down
9. Negotiator: the person who can make the deal and close the deal
31
Corporate Characters
The Craftsman – Dedicated to quality, concerned with product, conscientious
The Jungle Fighter – Sees others as competitions
The Company Man / Woman – “Organizational” person. Very ethical
The Gamesman – New idea guy. Future CEO
The Outlaw – Challenges management and authority.
32
Responsibility
The cornerstone of ethics. It is accountability, answerability, sometimes liability but also rewardability. Most of the time responsibility is shared. Those in authority may be even more responsible than those who actually perform the act.
33
The “System Problem”
he whole becomes much more than the sum of its parts. The problem of accumulated pressure once a decision has been made and all employees have worked diligently toward the goal the momentum becomes so great that there is little to stop it. Decision, once implemented, cannot be turned around quickly. Goals, once agreed upon, cannot be immediately forgotten. This is when the basic aim of “business ethics” becomes important. Group think: The whole organization is involved and behind it. NASA Challenger example
34
Game Theory
The theory of policies and planning and making rational decisions in the face of the uncertainties and risks of the market. Views business first as activity of individual participants rather then as a system or mechanism. It is an activity performed well or badly in search of certain payoffs and taking certain responsibilities-- like in a game. All competition is not gamelike... Business can be a Darwinian struggle for survival; Games are short vacations from life; They have beginnings and ends and rules; Business life has no such well defined limitations. Games presume voluntary participation. You expect to be tackled in football. Business includes people who participate not by choice.
35
Zero-Sum Games
There must be a clear winner or loser. Someone will take the market or the customer. F-35. Competitive bidding.
36
Non-Zero-Sum Games
The amount to be won or lost is not always fixed and it’s not just a matter of beating the opponent. Wealth and markets can be created during the competition rather than existing as a condition of the game. The entire industry will be saved by the development of something new that one company mamkes... CDs, Digital cameras, Freon. Competition lifts industry standard products.
37
Law of Supply and Demand
Adam Smith’s theory which serves as the self-controlling device of society, preventing the greedy from getting too much and the poor from becoming too poor. Assures the adequate supply of consumer goods in society as well as an adequate supply of workers to produce them and capital to sponsor them. Self controlling device in society.
38
Rationality
Getting what we want in the best possible way. Rationality depends upon some agreed upon framework of values concerning acceptable means to an end. The goal you select and the means to get to an end. Bridge example.
39
Negotiation
Separate the people from the problem.
Recognize and understand your position.
Recognize and understand the other person’s position.
Find shared interests.
40
Conflict of Interest
The result of differences between an individual’s values and those of the company, other people, or society;
1) Example - the corporation asks you to carry out an order you consider contrary to what is good and right for society.
2) Where conflicts of interest are basically quantitative and measurable on a single scale (i.e negotiating on price) they are resolvable through negotiation and compromise. True conflict of interest arises where the variable emotion or sentiment comes into play (subjective values) for which there is no acceptable measure of price (i.e. making a profit and increasing pollution)
3) We can resolve conflicts between different values by establishing priorities:
Life & Death > Financial Values
Ethical Values > Aesthetic Values
Integrity > Personal Interest
At the extremes of the scale our priorities go awry
4) Examples include Ford Pint gas tank explosion (Turning moral decisions into financial)
41
Prima Facie
A priority which is accepted at face value except for cases in which there is an unusually strong counterclaim. i.e. honor your contracts except in case of war. A belief we can almost always be in agreement, except in extreme cases, war or emergency. Can vary by culture.
42
Morality
A specific set of prima facie principles that we ll accept without qualification. i.e. Ten Commandments
43
Moralities of Principles
Simply a set of orders or laws to obey (10 Commandments). Immanuel Kant’s idea of the “cateforical imperative” an order or commandment without qualification. The authority may be external (from religion) or internal from our conscience. We should act in such a way that it should be applied as a rule for everyone. (Wait in line @ ATM or don’t cut people off on the road)
44
Goal Oriented Morality
Emphasis is on how people behave and how it fits into the practices of the community. The Utility Principle (actions may harm some people, but it will achieve the best results for the majority and doesn’t include extremes). The greatest good for the greatest number of people and the least pain for as many people as possible. (Pollute river a little to keep factory running because whole town depends on it?)
45
Responsibility
Liability to punishment and liability to praise. That set of duties and activities that constitute our jobs, our roles in the organization, and our citizenship in society. Get the credit or the blame.
46
Moral Responsibility
Those duties and obligations that are based on the rules and expectations of morality. They are shared by everyone in society. (tell the truth, keep promises). Looking at what’s right/wrong; May exceed legal responsibility.
47
Legal Responsibilities
Requires a rule or statute that can be broken with a mechanism of the law to enforce or punish. Responsibilities sometime exist independently of the law.
48
Corporate Responsibilities
The people within the corporation have responsibilities. But corporations can be fined or punished. diffused blame sometimes comes together in the office of the person who is in charge of the corporation. Though he or she may not be aware of the malfeasance yet, he or she has regulative responsibility. CEO represents the corporation.
Corporation by its very nature is a liability shield of stockholders, executives and managers. Individuals usually pay by loss of job, demotion, or career derailment. Protects people’s personal assets.
49
Contractual Obligations
To shareholders to make a profit. Often conflict with obligations to society.
50
Consumer Responsibility
They vote with their dollars about the products that should be available and the social costs incurred (i.e. dolphin safe tuna).
51
Stockholder Responsibility
Responsible for evaluating their investments not only in terms of financial security and expected return, but also in terms of the quality of product, how it treats its employees and the surrounding community, and the environment. An ethical and political decision. The stockholder is still ultimately in charge.
52
Corporate Social Responsibility
While it is the responsibility of a corporation to sell decent products at affordable prices, it is also the responsibility of the corporation not to destroy the society it serves. A corporation’s economic responsibility is by no means incompatible with its other corporate responsibilities.
53
Impact Social Responsibility
The actual causal influence of an industry or a business on its surrounding community, the environment, the political situation or its own consumers.
This does not suppose any prior wrongdoing on the corporation’s part, these are responsibilities that every member of society, whether individual or institutional, has equally, by virtue of being a member of society…Contributions. Philanthropy. But companies can go beyond proper bounds and interfere in social concerns under guide of social responsibility. And who decides what the cause to be supported is? Does manufacturing plant have obligation to make area around it better? There needs to be Board of Directors and guidelines for what causes are supported.
54
Noblesse Oblige
The responsibility of those who have more, to contribute more for the good of the society. Because you have been blessed, you are expected to give more.
55
Paternalism
When a business steps in to donate and by encouraging a certain public policy or tastes in the arts or charity, thus takes away citizen’s own sense of responsibility and autonomy. i.e. force employees to support a particular cause. The company can force change because they highly support one thing. Takes burden off community if big companies pay, but big companies can dictate what is done with their money.
56
Silent Stakeholder
i.e. the environment. We have responsibilities to future generations as well as to the earth itself.
57
Social Justice
An ideal of a fair and harmonious society. In an affluent society, everyone has the right to expect a decent life. Wages, healthcare, schooling…are people entitled?
58
Distributive Justice
The fair distribution of the goods of society. Everything that money can buy and some thing it can’t buy. Includes fair distribution of the hardships and responsibilities of society. Example – Ivan (Hard worker) and Dave (lazy, success). How to determine share of success and hardships.
59
Entitlement Theory
The ethics of capitalism. People have the right to what they legally earn, win, or inherit. Equality of the rules and procedures of the market make us equal, but there is no guarantee of equality of results. Starving artist, inheritance, winning the lottery. Should not be criticized for having good luck. Painting example (struggling artist sells painting for $25, then turns famous and buyer seller for a million dollars…does he owe original artist anything?)
60
Cultural Differentiation
When two or more cultures interact and experience conflict because of their differences...
Language – Could insult someone based on idioms
Body Language – Showing soles of shoe is sometimes disrespectful
Urgency & Punctuality – No issue with invading personal space
Etiquette – Must have small talk first in some places and time / day is no issue
Ethnocentrism – Believe their culture is superior.
61
Cultural Relativism
The belief that there is no single standard of ethical behavior that applies to al people and cultures all the time. Contracts with ethnocentrism.
62
Ethical Levels - Name 3
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Illegal or Illicit Ethic
Legal Ethic
Pecuniary Ethic
Power Ethic
Situational Ethic
Professional Ethic
Judeo-Christian Ethic
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63
Illegal or Illicit Ethic
Self Interest will allow us to do whatever it takes, even if it is illegal, to accomplish our goals
64
Legal Ethic
Do whatever is not against the law and utilize every loophole to accomplish your goals
65
Pecuniary Ethic
The primary goal is achievement and emphasis on the outcome. Showing little concern for the rights of other. Looking at the ends, not the means to get there. End result is important thing.
66
Power Ethic
Assume an adversarial stance in an effort to dominate the other side regardless of the consequences to the other side. Crush the competition.
67
Situational Ethic
Right and wrong is in the eye of the beholder. The facts and circumstances are used to rationalize behavior without outright rejection of concepts of right and wrong. Grey area between right and wrong.
68
Professional Ethic
Written codes, standards and principles adopted and practiced by individuals, professions and group. Recognizes human interdependency and responsibilities. Could be organized self-interest.
69
Judeo-Christian Ethic
Recognizes that all of the world’s great religions have similar basic moral teachings, this is concerned with one’s ultimate relationship to God and to fellow human beings. Concept of moral right and wrong. A higher power judges how we act.
70
Tests for Ethical Decision Making - List 3
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Legal Compliance Test
Public Knowledge Test
Long-Term Consequences Test
Examine your Motives Test
Inner Voice or Conscience Test
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Freedom is Key to our Free Enterprise System
The idea that the business world should be relatively free from unnecessary government interference, but also our belief that the free market will somehow contribute to freedom in all other aspects of our life. Bus socialists might define freedom as being free from the threats and insecurities of the free enterprise life. Freedom can mean different things to different people.
72
Power
IF seen not as superiority over other people but as the ability to get things done, then it is an essential part of freedom. Power is a means to freedom, not an end in itself. Power over people is authoritarianism.
73
Five Bases of Managerial Power - List 3
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Reward Power
Coercive Power
Expert Power
Reference Power
Legitimate Power
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74
Privacy
Freedom from other people. Every job has its limits (private and personal) beyond which neither employer nor customer can go. Personal life, private habits, or political opinions (unless one uses one’s job as a platform for visibility for these opinions) is not relevant to the job. Conduct and behavior on the job is.. by statute, we have determined to allow drug testing... therefore certain elements of private behavior can be relevant to your job.
75
Autonomy
The ability to think and act for ourselves rather than simply following orders or rules from others. But this exists within a framework of the job assignment. We have autonomy insofar only as we have something to do and a position of responsibility.
76
Impotence
A sense of not being able to do what we want and expect to be able to do. When it exists within a business it lease to resentment which leads to a sense of separation between the individual and the company. Can lead to quietly submissive, superficially satisfied employee who is just putting in time. When people begin to feel their work does not matter much, they they just keep up appearances which leads to the progression of this. May lead to assertions of power or extreme conformity. May lead to eccentric behavior to draw attention to one’s self. A manager’s key responsibility is to provide a sense of power, accomplishment, and effectiveness to everyone else so that they remain engaged.
77
Coercion
Lack of choice in undertaking responsibilities or accepting an unfair bargain. Businesses can exploit unskilled or low-level workers or can pressure managers to undertake an unpleasant job or one which is against their principles or they will be fired or demoted. Even a CEO can be forced by a board to pursue a strategy or policy which he opposes, or lose his job.
78
Moral Mazes
Socialist Robert Jackall) the loss of personal integrity due to the pressures of the Organization. Under the wrong kinds of pressures, the wrong kinds of demands for loyalty and unquestioning obedience, our personal virtues and ideals may turn out to be obstacles to success. Personal judgement becomes cloudy and integrity is sacrificed to corporate necessity. Best thing for company, not customer
79
Embeddedness
People become embedded in the jobs and position and they have trouble seeing beyond the immediate pressure they face. Business ethics calls on us to see beyond our position. In the midst of a company crisis this can be very difficult.
80
When is Whistle-Blowing Justified
1. Is my knowledge of the matter complete and accurate?
2. What are the objectionable practices and what public interests do they harm?
3. How far would I and can I go inside the corporation with my concern or objective?
4. Will I be violating any rules by contacting outside parties and, if so, is whistle-blowing nevertheless justified?
5. Will I be violating any laws or ethical duties by not contacting external parties?
6. Once I have decided to act, what is the best way to blow the whistle - anonymously, overtly, by resignation prior to speaking out, or in some other way?
7. What will be likely responses from various sources inside and outside the organization to the whistle blowing action?
8. What is expected to be achieved by whistle blowing in the situation?
81
Workaholism
Express concern about the quantity of work done
82
Perfectionism
Excess concern about the quality of work done
83
Burn-out
Total job exhaustion and despair. Largely a matter of wanting or expecting too much of oneself. Since the demands are unattainable, the result is hopelessness. Solution lies in a change of perspective and a re-evaluation of goals and expectations
