Factors to Determine Ethical Behavior
Factors to Determine Ethical Behavior Transcript
MGT/521
1
Factors to Determine Ethical Behavior Podcast Transcript
Speakers: Scott, Diane, Scott Hyder
Scott: Hey folks, Scott and Diane here again to talk to you about business principles and how they can help you in the real world.
Diane: Today we have what I think is one of the most important aspects of business, and in fact of life itself: ethics.
Scott: I couldn’t agree more. And nowhere is this more evident than in corporate America. We see ethics at play all the time, with Bernie Madoff and his Ponzi scheme, the Enron scandal, Exxon, BP, and many, many more examples. Ethical behavior can make or break a company.
Diane: Sure, I remember people passing up Exxon stations after the Valdez accident several years ago; same with the BP oil spill. Boycotts against companies happen all the time if they forget they have to be good corporate citizens, in addition to turning a profit.
Scott: I think the issue here, in a discussion of ethics though, is what determines ethical and unethical behavior. Can we give people any kind of a framework that might help to easily determine what is seen as correct behavior and what needs changing in a corporate setting?
Diane: Of course! And while none of these ideas are foolproof, in general, they cover the majority of signs or problems to look out for and be aware of. You have to look at the individual employee’s stage of moral development, their individual characteristics, the structure of the company, the company culture and then look at how big the issue itself really is.
Scott: Well, I’m interested in a few concepts that I’ve never really heard of before. Talk to us a little about
“the stages of moral development.”
Diane: Gladly. There are three levels inherent in moral development. You have the pre-conventional level, which deals with consequences from the outside dictating moral behavior…
Scott: So, an example might be my grandfather, who always talked about the nuns who
MGT/521
1
Factors to Determine Ethical Behavior Podcast Transcript
Speakers: Scott, Diane, Scott Hyder
Scott: Hey folks, Scott and Diane here again to talk to you about business principles and how they can help you in the real world.
Diane: Today we have what I think is one of the most important aspects of business, and in fact of life itself: ethics.
Scott: I couldn’t agree more. And nowhere is this more evident than in corporate America. We see ethics at play all the time, with Bernie Madoff and his Ponzi scheme, the Enron scandal, Exxon, BP, and many, many more examples. Ethical behavior can make or break a company.
Diane: Sure, I remember people passing up Exxon stations after the Valdez accident several years ago; same with the BP oil spill. Boycotts against companies happen all the time if they forget they have to be good corporate citizens, in addition to turning a profit.
Scott: I think the issue here, in a discussion of ethics though, is what determines ethical and unethical behavior. Can we give people any kind of a framework that might help to easily determine what is seen as correct behavior and what needs changing in a corporate setting?
Diane: Of course! And while none of these ideas are foolproof, in general, they cover the majority of signs or problems to look out for and be aware of. You have to look at the individual employee’s stage of moral development, their individual characteristics, the structure of the company, the company culture and then look at how big the issue itself really is.
Scott: Well, I’m interested in a few concepts that I’ve never really heard of before. Talk to us a little about
“the stages of moral development.”
Diane: Gladly. There are three levels inherent in moral development. You have the pre-conventional level, which deals with consequences from the outside dictating moral behavior…
Scott: So, an example might be my grandfather, who always talked about the nuns who