Fiery phoenix PLC – entrepreneurial survival in Zambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Mwila Natasha Katuta
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Decision Making Models

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes are as follows: students should be able to provide definitions for ethical dilemmas; students should be able to identify ethical dilemmas in a real business context; and students should be able to determine the outcomes of applying given decision-making models to a specific scenario. Case overview/synopsis The aim of this study is to demonstrate the complexity of ethical decision-making in start-up enterprises in emerging markets. The study draws on two well-known decision-making models to illustrate how their application in this context may lead to conflicting outcomes. The study data was collected through reflective entries provided by the business proprietor. These were followed up by three in-depth interviews. The data was supported by analysis of company documents provided by the case. The study demonstrates the crucible moments in entrepreneurial startups that give rise to ethical questions and the need for decision making. It demonstrates the complexity of ethical decision making in emerging contexts. The study business elected to maintain anonymity for commercial protection. This limits the scope of information that may be divulged. The study and the accompanying teaching note provide context for how to apply decision-making frameworks to real business dilemmas. This study contributes to scholarly work on teaching business ethics to undergraduate students. Complexity academic level Final Year Undergraduate. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

Bulldog decision

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis Lee Cyphers ◽  
Julianne Renee Apodaca
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Authentic Leadership ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Military Justice ◽  
Commanding Officer ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Military Law

Theoretical basis The theoretical basis for this case is a focus on ethical decision-making based upon a decision-making tree proposed by Bagley et al. (2003). Once multiple options are determined as ethical, integrating authentic leadership into the decision-making process can help leaders made difficult decisions. Research methodology The authors conducted extensive research through IBISWorld, EBSCOhost, and academic journals to review ethical decision-making and authentic leadership. The authors successfully piloted the case with over 100 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in leadership courses. Case overview/synopsis The case describes an ethical decision a young commanding officer must make. A soldier under their leadership has been charged with an inappropriate relationship with a minor. The officer must decide between two actions that are legal within the military justice system. Each decision has ramifications that will significantly affect the organization. Complexity academic level The case is best taught in undergraduate and graduate leadership courses. Course participants do not need a detailed understanding of military leadership or military law to apply fundamental concepts.

Ethical decision-making among professional accountants in Nigeria: the influence of ethical ideology, work sector, and types of professional membership

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 389-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collins Sankay Oboh ◽  
Solabomi Omobola Ajibolade ◽  
Olatunde Julius Otusanya
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Moral Relativism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moral Idealism ◽  
Edm Process

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of ethical ideological orientation (moral idealism and moral relativism), work sector and types of professional membership on the ethical decision-making (EDM) process of professional accountants in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study obtained primary data from 329 professional accountants with the aid of a structured questionnaire containing four scenarios of ethical dilemmas. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical analysis, independent sample t-test, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression techniques. Findings The results revealed both idealistic and relativistic moral orientation among the accountants surveyed with a higher mean score (>4.0) recorded for moral idealism. Moral idealism was found to have a positive influence, while moral relativism a negative influence on the three stages (ethical recognition, ethical judgement and ethical intention) of EDM examined. Professional accountants with idealistic orientation showed a higher disposition towards making ethical decisions in situations involving ethical dilemmas than those tending towards relativistic orientation. The results also revealed that work sector (private or public) and types of professional membership play significant roles in predicting the EDM process of professional accountants in Nigeria. Practical implications The study provides empirical evidence that could be used to support educational and legislative efforts in enhancing the moral ideological orientation of professional accountants, which will, in turn, enhance their EDM processes. The findings could be used to enhance ethics instructions and training of current and prospective professional accountants in educational settings, especially in countries such as Nigeria where there is yet to be a discrete ethics course in the curriculum for accounting undergraduate degree programmes. Professional accounting bodies in Nigeria and other developing countries could use the evidence in this study to strengthen the ethics code for professional accountants. Originality/value The study is unique in focussing on professional accountants in developing countries using Nigeria to represent developing countries with high corruption profile and weak institutions and governments and, as such, it contributes to the scarce research output on accounting ethics in developing countries.

Limited gender differences in ethical decision making between demographics in the USA and New Zealand

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 126-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Fredricks ◽  
Elspeth Tilley ◽  
Daniela Pauknerová
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Gender Difference ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa

Purpose – The literature is divided upon whether a gender difference occurs with respect to ethical decisions. Notable researchers Tannen and Gilligan demonstrated gender difference while subsequent researchers indicate that gender differences are becoming more neutralized. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper analyzes the gender demographic and intercultural influences on ethical decision-making by undergraduate students from New Zealand and the USA through four scenarios. Findings – Overall for the USA and New Zealand, this research demonstrates this split as well, since two scenarios showed significance while two did not. The two that demonstrated a significance dealt with personnel issues and a past client relationship. These two scenarios suggested that a relationship orientation and relativistic nature among women may influence their decision making. The two scenarios without significance were less relationship oriented, involving dealing with a customer (a stranger) and a subordinate (implying a professional supervisory responsibility). In addition, the neutrality exhibited in the latter two scenarios may reflect Tannen's illustration that there is a cross-gender influence on decision making. With respect to the geographic location, the USA, when compared with New Zealand, and the gender demographics, only the USA reported significant differences for two scenarios. Originality/value – Undergraduate students in the USA provided situations and discussions that resulted in the development of a number of scenarios. Additional research and evaluation of current events, led to a total of ten scenarios with four scenarios yielding business related situations.

scholarly journals Responsible Leadership in Sport: An Ethical Dilemma

Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Kathleen Rodenburg ◽  
Louise Hayes ◽  
Lianne Foti ◽  
Ann Pegoraro
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Dilemma ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Responsible Leadership ◽  
Sports Organizations ◽  
Sport Industry ◽  
A Current

Sports, apart from providing entertainment, can provide an escape from everyday troubles, a community to belong to, and an opportunity to connect to the wider world. As such, sports have contributed to the unification of people, the development of peace and tolerance, and the empowerment of women and young people globally. However, sports’ widespread popularity has also contributed to “big money” opportunities for sports organizations, sporting venues, athletes, and sponsors that have created an environment riddled with ethical dilemmas that make headlines, resulting in protests and violence, and often leave society more divided. A current ethical dilemma faced by agents associated with the Olympic games serves to demonstrate the magnitude and challenges related to resolving ethical dilemmas in the sport industry. A decision-making framework is applied to this current sport’s ethical dilemma, as an example of how better ethical decision making might be achieved.

Data-based ethical decision making, lateral relations, and organizational commitment

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 946-963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Robert Valentine ◽  
David Hollingworth ◽  
Patrick Schultz
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Information Flow ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Focusing on ethical issues when making organizational decisions should encourage a variety of positive outcomes for companies and their employees. The purpose of this paper is to determine the degree to which data-based ethical decision making, lateral relations and organizational commitment are interrelated in organizations. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from business professionals employed at multiple locations of a financial services firm operating in the USA. Mediation analysis (based on structural equation modeling) was used to test the proposed relationships. Findings Results indicated that employees’ perceptions of data-based ethical decision making were positively related to perceived lateral relations, and that perceived lateral relations were positively related to organizational commitment. Research limitations/implications Given that information was collected using only a self-report questionnaire, common method bias could be an issue. In addition, the study’s cross-sectional design limits conclusions about causality. Another limitation involves the study’s homogenous sample, which decreases the generalizability of the findings. Finally, variable responses could have been impacted by individual frames of reference and other perceptual differences. Practical implications Results suggest that information flow enhancements should support or be consistent with horizontal information flow enhancements, and that together these factors should increase employee commitment. Originality/value Given the dearth of existing research, this interdisciplinary investigation is important because it fills gaps in the management literature. This study is also important because the results could inform decisions regarding the use of data analysis in ethical decisions and lateral forms of organizational structuring to improve work attitudes.

Internal and external auditor ethical decision‐making

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald F. Arnold ◽  
Jack W. Dorminey ◽  
A.A. Neidermeyer ◽  
Presha E. Neidermeyer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Social Consensus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Firms ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
External Auditor

PurposeThe aim of this exploratory research is to compare three sectors of the auditing profession – internal auditors, external auditors from larger international firms, and external auditors from smaller/regional firms – in regard to the influence of situational context on their ethically‐related decision‐making and judgment evaluations.Design/methodology/approachAgainst the backdrop of five vignettes applied with a survey, the paper examines the potential influence of social consensus and magnitude of consequence on the ethical decision path of these three auditor groups.FindingsThe paper finds that, in all cases, social consensus and magnitude of consequences exert influence on the ethical decision path. In the case of social consensus, however the paper finds that the ethical decision path is fully mediated for large firm auditors but is only partial mediated for the other two groups of auditors.Originality/valueThis research examines responses from both internal and external auditors. Comparison between such groups is unique because these groups have not been well researched in the past literature.

scholarly journals Ethics and Total Worker Health®: Constructs for Ethical Decision-Making and Competencies for Professional Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10030
Author(s):  
Bonnie Rogers ◽  
Anita L. Schill
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Hours ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Worker Health ◽  
Total Worker Health

Work has become increasingly technologically driven and fast paced, with long work hours, new/emerging hazards, and rising health care costs. Threats to worker safety, health, and well-being including non-traditional work arrangements and practices, precarious work, uncertain hazardous exposures, and work organization issues, such as heavy workloads, design of work, uneven work hours, and difficult interpersonal relationships among workers and managers are apparent. Furthermore, the relationship between personal health risk factors and workplace risks and exposures has drawn increased attention and concern. As employer economic pressures continue to build, it is anticipated that ethical dilemmas for practitioners will become increasingly complex. A review of relevant Total Worker Health (TWH) literature, related ethical constructs and competencies, an examination of codes of ethics for occupational safety and health and health promotion/education disciplines was conducted. A case study for TWH utilizing an ethical decision-making model for the analysis of key ethical issues and solutions was completed. TWH approaches to protecting safety, promoting health, and advancing well-being are increasingly being adopted. These approaches can reveal ethical dilemmas, and ethical constructs are needed to guide decision-making. A core set of proposed ethical competencies for TWH professionals are identified as a transdisciplinary framework to support workplace ethical culture.

Ethical values in the evaluation of corporate social performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monte Wynder ◽  
Kirsty Dunbar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Corporate Social Performance ◽  
Ethical Values ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – This paper aims to explore two factors that may moderate the relation between an individual’s ethical values and their evaluation of competing ethical and financial outcomes. It is argued that distance (i.e. low proximity) attenuates moral intensity, thereby inhibiting ethical decision-making (EDM). In contrast, it is argued that presenting outcomes in a separate social and environmental perspective in the balanced scorecard (BSC) increases EDM. Design/methodology/approach – In an experiment, participants evaluated social outcomes presented in a BSC. Proximity and scorecard format were manipulated in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Findings – The results indicate that physical and social proximity increase the extent to which performance evaluation is influenced by the ethical values of the evaluator. Contrary to expectations, BSC format did not influence the EDM of the evaluator. Research limitations/implications – Participants were undergraduate students which may limit the generalisability of the results. Further research should be conducted with practicing managers. The study focused on a particular ethical issue, hiring and training from the local community. Further research is necessary to consider the effect of personal ethical values on other aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Practical implications – This study indicates that ethical values will be less salient when the outcomes relate to distant locations. There are important implications for multinational corporations seeking to avoid the liability of foreignness in their distant operations. Originality/value – Previous CSR research has focused on the institutional level. The focus of the authors on the individual’s decision-making process increases our understanding of the biases that can affect EDM.

Ethical decision making models in nursing and in medicine

Pflege ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 309-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Just
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Decision Making Models

Bei der näheren Betrachtung von Publikationen zu ethischen Entscheidungsmodellen fällt auf, dass es in der Pflege sowie in der Medizin eine Vielzahl an monodisziplinären Modellen gibt und stets neue entwickelt werden. Fraglich ist, ob sich aus der Anwendung der Modelle divergierende Möglichkeiten und Konsequenzen für das Handeln der Entscheidungsbeteiligten ergeben. Aufgrund dieser Frage beschäftigt sich der Artikel mit zwei ausgewählten Modellen zur ethischen Entscheidungsfindung. Das von Illhardt (1998) entwickelte Modell resultiert aus einem medizinischen Blickwinkel, wohingegen Tschudin (1996) ihre Vorgehensweise aus einem pflegebezogenen Berufsverständnis heraus entwickelte. Die Anwendung der Modelle an einem fiktiven Fallbeispiel lässt deren Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede sichtbar werden und beleuchtet die damit zusammenhängenden Auswirkungen auf den Entscheidungsfindungsprozess. Rückblickend auf das Fallbeispiel ist die alleinige Entwicklung eigener ethischer Entscheidungsmodelle in der Pflege fragwürdig, wenn Entscheidungsbeteiligte vorgeben, ihr Ziel sei die Etablierung eines gemeinsamen interdisziplinären Vorgehens.

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