INDIVIDUAL ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

“One always dies too soon – or too late. And yet one’s whole life
is complete at that moment, with a line drawn neatly under it,
ready for the summing up. You are – your life, and nothing
else”
(From the book, NO EXIT – By Jean Paul Sartre)
• You are your life, and nothing else.

• Consider how you feel about your accomplishments, your

challenges, your actions and decisions, and the manner in
which you have treated your personal stake-holders.
• If you were to look at your life from outside, would you find it
to be “worthwhile”, “good”, “right” or any other positive
judgment?

• You might believe that a part of your soul is left with each
decision you make; and your lasting impact on this earth is
evidenced by the “indentations” you make on the lives of
others and on our environment.
 INDIVIDUAL
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
Step 1: Ethical Issue Recognition

Step 2: Ethical Judgment

Step 3: Ethical Intent

Step 4: Ethical Behaviour

 ETHICAL ISSUE RECOGNITION

• The individual must first comprehend that the issue

has an ethical component

• Then the ethical decision-making process will be

triggered by the awareness of an ethical dilemma
 ETHICAL JUDGMENT

• After recognition of an ethical dilemma, the

individual will probably form some overall impression
or judgment about the “rightness” or “wrongness of
the issue.

• The individual will reach this judgment in a variety of

ways (Teleological, Deontological)
 ETHICAL INTENT

• The individual decides what he will do (or not do)

with regard to the perceived ethical dilemma

• According to research, ethical judgments are strong

predictors of ethical intent

• However, individuals do not always form intentions

according to their judgments, as various situational
factors may influence the individual
 ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR

• The final stage is to engage in some behaviour in

regard to the ethical dilemma
• According to research, ethical intent is the strongest
predictor of ethical behaviour
• However, individuals do not always behave
consistent with either their judgments or intentions.
• The peer group members, supervisors, and
organizational culture may influence individuals to
behave inconsistently.
 FACTORS AFFECTING ETHICAL DECISION
MAKING
• PERSONAL FACTORS
– Values
– Ego strength
– Field Dependence
– Locus of control
– Moral Development
• Stage 1: Actions that avoid punishment
• Stage 2: Actions that serve one’s needs
• Stage 3: Actions that gain approval from others
• Stage 4: Actions that abide law and authority
• Stage 5: Actions to abide by social contracts
• Stage 6: Actions supported by universal principles
• ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS
– Codes of Conduct
– Organizational Culture
• Trust and respect individuals
• Focus on high level of achievement & contribution
• Conduct business with integrity
• Achieve common objectives through team-work
• 0Encourage flexibility and innovation
• Issue Related Factors
– Serious consequences

– Societal consensus