Ch 3 Ethics Basic Concepts

1
Ch 3 Ethics - Basic Concepts

• Moral Dealing with what is right or wrong
• Ethics
• The code of moral principles and values
• The standards as to what is right/ wrong
• Ethical Conforming to moral standards
• Ethics vary from country to country
• from time to time
• from group to group

2
Ethical Models, p. 97
Social Ethics Legal rules, customs
Organizations Code of Ethics
Professional Ethics Values in Workplace
Individual Ethics Family Influence
3
Rationalizations or Explanations for Unethical
Behavior

• It is not really illegal.
• It is really in everyones best interests.
• No one will ever know about it.
• The organization will stand behind me

4
Ethical Dilemma

• All alternatives are undesirable or unethical
• Potential ethical consequences are unclear

5
Three Domains of Human Action
Free choice vs. Law
Free Choice
Free choice vs. Ethics
Law
Ethics
Law vs. Ethics
6
Freedom of Speech

• Case 1 Actual Speech (S. Ct. 1987)
• S. Ct. Decision
• Case 2 Symbolic Speech (S. Ct. 1969)
• S. Ct. Decision
• Case 3 Burning Flag (S. Ct. 1989)
• S. Ct Decision

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• Exceptions to Free Speech
• a. TPM Restriction
• - Reasonable Time, Place and Manner
• Fighting Words
• Defamation
• Obscenity
• Speech can be suppressed only if
• government can show clear and present
• danger of imminent harm to the public
• welfare, but recent changes are

8
Social Responsibility of Business Two Views
Stockholder Model The business must be operated
for the benefit of its owners
Stakeholder Model The business must be operated
for the benefit of a diverse group of
stakeholders
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Levels of Responsibility Social
Responsibility Society Demands
High
- Discretionary - Ethical - Legal - Economic

• - Desired
• - Anticipated
• - Required
• - Expected

Low
10
Approaches to Social Responsibility
Figure 3.8, p. 103
Obstruction approach
Defensive approach
Accommo- dative approach
Proactive approach
Low
High
Social Responsibility