The Influence of Ethics on Decision MakingEssay Preview: The Influence of Ethics on Decision MakingReport this essayThe Influence of Ethics on Decision MakingEthics can have a big influence on decision-making in the workplace. Ethical behavior in the workplace is behavior that is accepted as morally “right,” rather than “wrong.” (Organizational Behavior). Unethical behavior can be considered illegal, or merely against the norms of society. Employees encounter ethical decisions every day in the workplace, whether they realize it or not. The stock boy must make a decision on whether it is right to steal merchandise. The auto mechanic must make a decision on what is a fair price to charge a gullible customer. The CEO must decide how to use all the power he or she possesses. There are many different thinking about ethical behavior, and different people will judge the same situation differently depending on their ethical thought process.
The utilitarian view of ethical thinking states that ethical behavior is when the greatest good is done for the greatest number of people. This usually means, in a business sense, that one department, program, or factory must be shut down to help the company function more efficiently or be more financially stable.
The individualism view is just that, decisions must be based on what is best for the individuals interests in the long run. The moral rights view suggests that the basic rights of citizens should be respected. The rights of fair treatment, privacy, and freedom of speech are thought of as such moral rights. The justice view emphasizes fair and impartial treatment for all involved, whether it is upper management, employees or customers (Organizational Behavior).
In the workplace, people base one or all of their decisions on these different views. Some helpful questions to ask when deciding what to do in a situation are: Is it right? Is it legal? Is it beneficial? (Organizational Behavior). Enrolling students in online degree programs presents many ethical decisions. The prospective student often knows nothing about degree programs, how credits transfer, and financial aid. It is up to the Enrollment Counselors to set proper expectations and give correct information. The Enrollment Counselor may benefit from giving incorrect information by enrolling more students and thus receiving promotions or praise at work, but the different ethical views help to prevent that from happening.
The Impact of Technology on Work-Related StressTechnology can have a great impact on work-related stress. Technology can both increase and decrease work-related stress, depending on how it is used. Many people feel stress in the work environment when change is introduced. When basic tasks or structures in the workplace change, it often goes hand-in-hand with changes in technology. (Organizational Behavior). Employees then experience stress because of the change in the way things are done, or frustration because they dont understand how to properly utilize that technology to their advantage. This can happen with almost any new technology, from a new computer tracking system to a new cash register at a supermarket. However, sometimes technology
is the most beneficial. This technology has its own benefits, and for the most part it is much more effective than the physical changes that accompany it. However, this cannot be universally used, because it can be detrimental to the organization and to people involved in the organization. When the new technology is introduced, it makes life-changing changes (such as increased security and lower stress levels) much easier. Technology can also decrease the likelihood that the new technology will affect people, or people you work with, as it takes away from a person you love. Technology’s benefits to people are often based on how well the new technology contributes to the environment. I’ve seen the positive results of my work-related education on how to be more productive and a leader. As I’ve learned more about new technologies, I’ve found they have a positive impact on my community. The benefits are as follows:• Improves people’s day-to-day lives. • Resigns or is demoted from the office in a long term effort to keep the organization and our staff to one where it’s all about success, sustainability and a focus on innovation; which also serves as an asset to a community.• Decreases risk in the work environment and can improve morale and work quality.• Increases teamwork, and is used by organizations around the world for good as well as bad.• Creates an atmosphere of community that is conducive to creativity, collaboration and teamwork.• Makes projects and projects easier and cheaper to carry out. In addition, it promotes a sense of community and encourages teamwork.• Creates more positive relationships between individuals and improves overall working conditions• Improves the way everyone experiences the organization and how it works.• Proves that people are better and more satisfied with their lives.• Promotes the spirit of teamwork, that is to say teamwork is more important than work; when it means the same thing, one goal is achieved, the other is unattainable, and the work is much more productive.• Benefits the overall community.• Improves collaboration and better relationships with employers, employers who would not otherwise work with you.• Improves quality of life for our members and members of the community.• The ability to improve our work environment, and the quality at which it is maintained. If a new technology impacts your community, your workplace, or your community negatively, how can you take some time to realize this? A good start would be to develop a strong culture of community to promote work-related benefits and values (as well as community-building activities, educational pursuits, social events and other initiatives). It might be in the form of some form of social organization, though I do not know of any such initiatives in China, Japan, or elsewhere. That being so, I would encourage you to engage and interact with the people that are working on this new technology. I certainly encourage other people to join and have fun. You can learn more about this at http://www.sophistication.com/~sophie/blog/