Values and Ethics
Dr. Fred Mugambi Mwirigi
JKUAT
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Definitions

Ethos: Greek word for “character” and
“customs” (traditions)

Ethic: “a set of moral principles; a guiding
philosophy; a consciousness of moral
importance (a work ethic, a conservation
ethic)”

Ethics: “the discipline of what is good or bad,
with moral duty / obligation; principles of
conduct governing an individual or group”
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Definition of Ethics
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Principles that guide an individual’s conduct
in his/her day-to-day operations and his/her
relationship with the environment within which
he/she exists and operates.
The rules of conduct that guide the moral
personality of an individual or enterprise and
their interface with their operating
environment.
A group of moral principles, standards of
behaviour or set of values regarding proper
conduct
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Definition of Values
 Fundamental
belief systems that form the basis for
the development or adoption of ethical patterns of
behavior.
 The bedrock upon which an ethical personality is
built.
 Moral justifications of all the actions that a person
decides to take (or not to take) in the course of
his/her operations.
 Human
values emphasize the
responsibilities that enable the aspiration
of the organization to be protected,
safeguarded, and fulfilled.
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Ethics and Performance
 Ethics
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influences the way people:
Perform duties at and away from work
Enact attitudes
Enact behavior
Make decisions
Relate to others
Carry out your responsibilities
Plan for the future
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Approaches to Ethics
1.
Teleological theories
2. Deontological theories
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Teleological Approach
 Teleological
approach emphasizes the
amount of good or bad embodied in the
consequence of behaviors.
 Teleology focuses on the consequences
of the actions or behaviors of the
individual
 In order to make correct moral choices,
we have to have some understanding of
what will result from our choices.
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Contd.
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When we make choices which result in the
correct consequences, then we are acting
morally; when we make choices which result
in the incorrect consequences, then we are
acting immorally.
Conforms to the maxim ‘the ends justify the
means’
Explored by Plato, Aristotle and later
Emmanuel Kant
Also called consequentialism
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Deontological Approach
 Deontological
approach deals mainly with
the inherent righteousness of a behavior.
 Deontologists look for conformity to moral
principles to determine whether an action is
ethical or not.
 Deontological moral systems are
characterized primarily by a focus upon
adherence to independent moral rules or
duties.
 Conforms to the maxim ‘the means justify the
ends’
 Also called moral absolutism
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Sources of Ethical Norms
Fellow Workers
Seniors at work
Family
Regions of
Country
Profession
The Individual
Conscience
Friends
The Law
Employer
Religious
Beliefs
Society at Large
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Ethics and the Law
 Law
often represents an ethical minimum
 Ethics often represents a standard that
exceeds the legal minimum
Frequent Overlap
Ethics
Law
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3 Models of Management of
Ethics
1.
2.
3.
Immoral Management—A style devoid of
ethical principles and active opposition to
what is ethical.
Moral Management—Conforms to high
standards of ethical behavior.
Amoral Management


Intentional - does not consider ethical factors
Unintentional - casual or careless about
ethical considerations in business
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3 Models of Management of
Ethics
Three Types Of Management Ethics
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Management Morality
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Ethical Issues in organizations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Character compromise
Conflict between personal values and
organizational goals
Conflict between organizational goals and social
values
Lying
Withholding needed information
Abusive or intimidating behavior toward
employees
Misreporting actual time or hours worked
Discrimination
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Ethical Relations
 Employee-Employer
Relations
 Employer-Employee Relations
 Company-Customer Relations
 Company-Shareholder Relations
 Company-Community/Public Interest
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Personal Ethics
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Personal ethics is a branch that determines
the code of conduct one adheres to.
Its a course of action an individual decides to
take up in order to reach the ultimate truth.
Following a personal code of ethics brings
accountability and responsibility to life.
It gives a purpose and direction, bringing out
a meaning to life.
Personal ethics are huge determining factors
of ethics at the workplace.
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Important Acts of Ethics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Honesty
Commitment
Loyalty
Management of rights
Confidentiality
Respect
Positive self regulation
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Costs of compromised ethics
Reduced
Morale
Reduced Productivity (Sloughing
off, Illness)
Employee turnover
Direct financial loss
Loss of creativity and innovation
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Five Broad Ethical Traps
 The
false-necessity trap
(convincing yourself that no other choice exists)
 The
doctrine-of-relative-filth trap
(comparing your unethical behavior with someone else’s
even more unethical behavior)
 The
rationalization trap
(justifying unethical actions with excuses)
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Five Broad Ethical Traps
 The
self-deception trap
(persuading yourself, for example, that a lie is not really a
lie)
 The
ends-justify-the-means trap
(using unethical methods to accomplish a desirable goal)
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External Sources of Good
Ethics
 Religious
values
 Philosophical values
 Cultural values
 Legal values
 Professional values
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Internal Sources of Ethics
 Respect
for the authority structure
 Loyalty
 Conformity
 Performance
 Results
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In summary
“True ethical behavior means
holding yourself to the highest
level of behavior because you
want to - not because you’re
afraid of getting caught and
punished”
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Thank you