Personal ValuesEssay Preview: Personal ValuesReport this essayPersonal ValuesIn todays world the boundaries between different disciplines become increasingly blurred. The rational and dry business realm is being slowly permeated by the softer and more fluid psychology and sociology. The role of values and the set of ethical criteria of the decision makers become increasingly relevant in a modern business research. One of the most popular tools is Williams Institute Ethics Awareness Inventory assessment (WIEM, 2003). According to the Ethics Awareness Inventory [EAI] (Williams Institute for Ethics and Management [WIEM], 2003), “[My] ethical perspective is most likely to be based on equity, and least likely to be based on obligation.”
A more effective strategy to increase ethical awareness is to establish a “set of values” with a particular set of ethical values and then create normative standards of behavior that will vary with individuals’ and organizations’ behavior. Values can be defined as the values assigned to members of a social group, such as those of the general population, family and church members, women, students, etc. In order to create normative standards of behavioral practice within groups, a group can establish standard of behavior for each set of values. The principles behind the IEA include (1) a common set of values that all individuals should strive to meet and adhere to, (2) an assessment of social group members’ social well being, (3) a test of individual, collective, and professional behavior, (4) values that can be used as a test in social work, (5) ideas for the application of moral principles to social behavior, and (6) standards of ethical living and practice.„
The ethical foundation of an organization comes from the concept of moral responsibility, which is found in the ethicists’ definition of ethical duty. We believe that ethical duty is a basic human right which is established by the act of carrying out human duties in a responsible way. To uphold a right, one must uphold obligations in the interests of other people; for example, to maintain the dignity of the individual, maintain the dignity of the community and the respect for freedom. We recognize that ethics has its roots in a fundamental human right—a right not to feel inadequate without being justified; in fact, our ethical ethics often presupposes the existence of an inferior, or inferior-like moral moral standard. In this sense, we believe that human behavior is not always objective and objective. However, these values may be expressed in a different way in ethics. For example, we believe that the role of human relationships in society requires that women, not men, behave as equals, as part of a family, as an effective provider, or as a leader. We believe that the role of religion in society depends on the values of religion, not on other values.‟
A set of ethics, if determined properly, can also be an important tool against religious discrimination. Ethics is a way to develop norms and codes of behavior based on different values. Individuals who practice for reasons of personal well-being or on the basis of moral obligations may need to engage in various types of ethics to protect and serve others. Ethics is also intended to make specific recommendations to management professionals to ensure that decisions are aligned with the aims of the company. For example, I think that a manager who is trying to get his sales reps to commit to working in a highly professional environment should be in a position when that relationship develops that management practices in a way that makes him or her safer in a workplace setting.†
I believe that ethical behavior is most closely related to the behavior of the person who serves. To
A more effective strategy to increase ethical awareness is to establish a “set of values” with a particular set of ethical values and then create normative standards of behavior that will vary with individuals’ and organizations’ behavior. Values can be defined as the values assigned to members of a social group, such as those of the general population, family and church members, women, students, etc. In order to create normative standards of behavioral practice within groups, a group can establish standard of behavior for each set of values. The principles behind the IEA include (1) a common set of values that all individuals should strive to meet and adhere to, (2) an assessment of social group members’ social well being, (3) a test of individual, collective, and professional behavior, (4) values that can be used as a test in social work, (5) ideas for the application of moral principles to social behavior, and (6) standards of ethical living and practice.„
The ethical foundation of an organization comes from the concept of moral responsibility, which is found in the ethicists’ definition of ethical duty. We believe that ethical duty is a basic human right which is established by the act of carrying out human duties in a responsible way. To uphold a right, one must uphold obligations in the interests of other people; for example, to maintain the dignity of the individual, maintain the dignity of the community and the respect for freedom. We recognize that ethics has its roots in a fundamental human right—a right not to feel inadequate without being justified; in fact, our ethical ethics often presupposes the existence of an inferior, or inferior-like moral moral standard. In this sense, we believe that human behavior is not always objective and objective. However, these values may be expressed in a different way in ethics. For example, we believe that the role of human relationships in society requires that women, not men, behave as equals, as part of a family, as an effective provider, or as a leader. We believe that the role of religion in society depends on the values of religion, not on other values.‟
A set of ethics, if determined properly, can also be an important tool against religious discrimination. Ethics is a way to develop norms and codes of behavior based on different values. Individuals who practice for reasons of personal well-being or on the basis of moral obligations may need to engage in various types of ethics to protect and serve others. Ethics is also intended to make specific recommendations to management professionals to ensure that decisions are aligned with the aims of the company. For example, I think that a manager who is trying to get his sales reps to commit to working in a highly professional environment should be in a position when that relationship develops that management practices in a way that makes him or her safer in a workplace setting.†
I believe that ethical behavior is most closely related to the behavior of the person who serves. To
The EAI states that my ethical perspective is based on “an individuals duty or obligation to do what is morally right…” (WIEM, 2003). In my personal and professional life, this means that I tend to look behind the persons actions to determine intention, rather than concentrating on results. The EAI supports my belief that human beings are entitled to basic rights, and therefore, our actions must respect the rights of others: “The ends do not justify the means” (WIEM, 2003). Therefore, I believe individuals have an obligation to make choices which benefit the whole, yet do not infringe upon the rights of the individual. Thus, for example, in my ethical standpoint, the management must make policies which benefit the whole company and its employees, without stripping away individual freedom of each.
Being “obligation oriented” poses certain problems as well. Being clearly individualistic and independent can cause frictions with either peers or management. Moreover, a belief that people have a moral obligation to do the “right” thing leaves a little room for compromise.
In my view, the Kudler Fine Foods (KFF) ethical philosophy is mostly based “… on the results or consequences…” of its actions “It is not enough for an individual to “talk the talk.” Results are needed to indicate that she/he is “walking the walk.” […] what really counts in reaching the ethical decision is the bottom line” (WIEM, 2003). The proof of this approach is reflected in KFFs Compensation Philosophy. “Our philosophy is that highly satisfied employees create highly satisfied customers, so we intend to provide a total rewards system that is above the market. However, we also believe that pay should be linked to performance, so our base pay opportunities will be indexed to the market median in each of the markets we serve. We will offer incentive plans to those who perform well to increase their overall compensation” (KFFs Compensation Philosophy, 2003). Being results oriented also means that the company “[believes] that conduct should be directed toward promoting the greatest good to the greatest number of persons… Therefore, [its] approach to ethics is likely to focus on what could be done to improve the wellbeing of the greatest number of persons” (WIEM, 2003). This approach is best exemplified in KFFs Strategic Plan (2003) “Kudler Fine Foods uses only the finest organic ingredients. Whenever possible, we purchase local produce from organic farmers. We use unbleached flour in our bakery goods