2. Ethics Learning Module
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Organizational Behavior: Key Concepts, Skills & Best Practices, 3/e
Copyright © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Ethics Ethics Study of moral issues Concerned with right versus wrong
Many shades of gray

4. A Model of Ethical Behavior in the Workplace
Figure A-1

5. Internal Organizational Influences
Positive relationship between organizational size and unethical behavior
Larger firms more likely to behave illegally
Managers more likely to behave unethically in decentralized organizations
Tendency among middle and lower-level managers to act unethically in the face of perceived pressure for results

6. Neutralizing/Enhancing Factors
Top Management Team (TMT) - consists of the CEO and his or her direct reports.
Prior military experience favorably influences the ethical behavior of executives
Organizations are encouraged to increase the diversity of its TMT if they want to reduce the chances of unethical decision making

7. A Decision Tree for Ethical Decisions
Figure A-2

8. Do Moral Principles Vary by Gender?
Males perceived moral problems in terms of a justice perspective
Based on the ideal of reciprocal rights and driven by rules and regulations
Women relied on a care perspective
Involves compassion and an ideal of attention and response to need

9. General Moral Principles
There are no absolute ethical answers for decision makers
Goal for managers should be to rely on moral principles so decisions are principled, appropriate, and defensible

10. The Magnificent Seven: General Moral Principles for Managers
Table A-1

11. How to Improve the Organization’s Ethical Climate
Behave ethically yourself
Screen potential employees
Develop and communicate a meaningful code of ethics
Provide ethics training
Reinforce ethical behavior

12. Video: PBS-Good Deeds
Paul Solman reports on how companies are being more socially responsible. (13:09)