The Role of Ethical Decision Model in Avoiding Wrong Decisions

Events in this case study reveals ethical gaps faced by professionals in the technology industry. Actions of actors in the case study raise eyebrows of what they should have done differently. Using the Ethical Decision Model (EDM) as a method of making virtuous decision, this discussion explains how professionals can avoid making wrong decisions when faced with ethical dilemma. In complex situations, actions done by Jimmy, Alec, bosses and developers have consequences. Ethics follows a thought process, which starts with the identification of ethical issues followed by their application for the best outcome. It brings out the role of corporate codes of conduct in guiding industry players and organizations on how to interact ethically (Erwin, 2011). Jimmy has come to the realization that the IT industry is not a safe haven. Characterized by endless ethical dilemma the industry becomes frustrating for professionals who desire to do things the right way. Jimmy faces challenges arising from the work environment. He has to deal with unethical practices and people who are vile in their professional conduct. Making ethical decisions involves a process, which calls for commitment, inner consciousness, and competency (Richardson & Ford, 2012). Having the necessary skills is not enough. What IT professionals require is commitment to doing the right thing regardless of its costs (Eraut & A, 2011). This discussion is an analysis of the ethical decision model (EDM) and its application in of normative theories.

Managing different actions in an ethical manner is complicated. Jimmy needs an effective model of choosing between right and wrong. It supports ethic notions like normative theories of action, virtue and consequences. This makes it convenient in the work environment because it calls for a simple formula that helps individuals to make rationalized decisions about ethics. It is not easy to choose between personal values and professional codes (BBC, 2014). Corporate IT has policies, which include ethical considerations. EDM helps professionals make responsible actions by distinguishing between what is professional and morally correct. This prevents malpractice and illegal undertakings.  Organizational leaders need to supervise and make self-reflection on these values in order to avoid making compromises.

Noncompliance to the law has more risks hence presents dire consequences. Jimmy prioritises this as the most important decision. Therefore, in case of a dilemma his professional approach starts with the more important extrinsic factor. The Ethical Decisions Model (EDM) suggest analysing, prioritizing and rationalizing the decisions (Tuffley, 2012) focusing on the legal, professional, social, and the intrinsic elements (individual attributes). In this case, Jimmy demonstrate his morality by rationalizing about the competencies demonstrated by Dev A before revoking their contract. He uses the same approach to prioritize on whether to share his former employers pricing secret with his new boss or not. Therefore, to avoid legal suits caused by fraudulent dealings, he prioritizes public interest, laws of competition and legal procedures. A careful analysis explores actions based on the professional duty, legal factors and the impact. These serve as roadmaps on how to make the best choices from the available options.

Prioritizing Ethical Issues in Professional Environment

Making ethical decisions starts with gathering information of the ethical issues at hand. Choosing the right principles involves prioritizing between the external and internal factors. An analysis of the decisions determines the best option to take (Tuffley, 2012). As a professional, Jimmy pursues competence, performance review, and legally binding laws. He applies these in the tendering, and pricing procedures instead of prioritizing on personal interests. Ignoring proper procedures when making sound ethics guided by professional convictions leads to collective wrong actions in the company (Cooperrinder & Srivastva, 2017). An analysis of Jimmy’s moral stand compared to those around him confirms notions by traditional ethics theorists about intentions. Alec smith quits his job without explanation showing an unethically which does not follow legal procedures (Allen Smith, 2016). An organization, which has ethical foundations, will uphold legalities of contract termination.  Duty ethics encourages Jimmy to do what is right regardless of what everyone around him is doing. Right action dictates that Jimmy makes a choice to stand out, to do right even though it weighs him down emotionally.  

In the case study, leaders fail to choose what is ethical by prioritizing legal and professional conduct in order to fulfil a moral duty and to set an example to followers. Supported by traditional theorists Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Aquinas, Kant suggests making in-depth moral judgements (Stanford encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2002). The ethical decision model advocates for the consideration of all possible actions while considering alternatives for the best possible option.

Contracts run organizations and could be employment of business agreements. These determine legalities and ideals of the organisation. A job contract also highlights what he society or nation practices. These may differ across the society and organizations. EDM guides on doing right in society or in an organization through personal and external guiding principles. Jimmy’s personal intuition forbids certain attributes, which it considers immoral, or unethical (Rogerson, Gottlieb, Handelsman, Knapp, & Younggren, 2011). In the case study, Jimmy who stands his ground loses his job but he ensures that he follows the legal and professional requirements. A morally upright person is at a dilemma of whether to obey intrinsic desires of career development at the expense of legal and professional requirements (Nelson & Trevino, 2011).

 The seven habits of successful people guides technologists on how to succeed in the industry (Tuffley, 2012). These include having a clear end in mind, prioritizing, win oriented, open mind, synergy and continuous improvement. Jimmy knows that being responsible and provocative is the best way to ensure that the project comes to completion successfully. This is an attribute that Alec does not have. That is why Jimmy’s performance in the present and previous companies is exemplary.

Choosing Between Personal Values and Professional Codes

Socially, Jimmy feels a pull to become unethical in his dealings. Alec’s boss does not seem to experience successful completion of projects in his organization because professionals involved in his projects are not competent. They seem to derive motivation from intrinsic than legal and professional laws. Developing the right habits calls for practice of what is right for personal change (Covey, 2013). Moral judgement emphasizes on the motive of an action in that if Jimmy’s intuition dictates his decision to become unethical. The consequences of not complying with his boss would lead him to lose the job but legal violations could land him in jail. The thought of having Alec’s replacing him is unbearable. However, if Jimmy uses EDM to make concrete moral decisions. He knows that selling out his former employer is a legal violation hence not the right action.

Ethical factors, which shape the intrinsic values, include the family, religious community and social networks (Jones & Volpe, 2011). Jimmy is beyond influence from his peer group because he succeeds in overcoming organizational pressure to do the unethical. Other professionals like Dev B prove that, a person’s environment shapes the moral development. The system is to blame for the unfavourable conditions and constant unethical practices. Utilitarian John Stuart Mills advocated for logical thinking in which people could think of appropriate actions with other people in mind. The EDM approach supports this notion because it looks at the effect of Jimmy and Alec’s action on other people in the company and industry (Blatt & Boyd, 2012).

Ethical misconduct involves the violation or negligent of ethical principles in practice. Corporate governance shapes the IT business with numerous ethical considerations (Griffin, 2011, p. 47). These influence personal principles and they comprise of legal duties or laws. Wrong actions by individuals could involve violation of privacy when dealing with client’s data, wrongful installations and interference with computer systems. The social environment needs incentives to encourage people from doing what is right. Ethical laws should not just exist for obedience but for the mutual benefit. EDM suggests the analysis of an action using concrete solutions that support extrinsic and intrinsic values. A person’s intuition may be wrong, but laws made for good will cannot be wrong. Using ethical policies as a guide provides wisdom for rational thought to prevail. Social conditioning influences personal factors therefore the nurturing environment is important. This is a blend of nurture and nature. People’s personalities determine the degree of obedience by every individual (Godos-Diez & Martinez-Campillo, 2011). Jimmy represents a strong-minded personality that is independent hence not easily influenced by nurture components.

Leadership Failure in Choosing Ethical Priorities

A person’s attributes shows uniqueness because of their level of moral development. People also have different personal goals, which motivates them and their quest for position or status in society (Yidong & Xinxin, 2013). The self is a concept is inherent in the nature and does not represent what is developed from the surrounding. As a result, malpractice in the technology industry varies because IT experts are different (Menachemi & Collum, 2011). Individuals could fail to comply with the law and organizational principles thereby violating the legal principles. Losing a competent, dedicated and virtuous worker because of malice shows failure to apply EDM on his part as a leader and manager.

EDM helps organizations and managers to avoid wrongful acts by encouraging personal decisions based on stipulated policies. Without a proper framework, even consumers tend to make irrational choices (Bray, Johns, & Kilburn, 2011). Lack of a reference point demotivates employees from undertaking moral judgements. Problems in decision making arise when there is lack of willingness to do right.

The table highlights a list of priorities for Jimmy and other professionals in the case study using EDM approach to analysis of ethical ideas.

	Factor	Related Issue
	Most important factors	Performance contract
1	Legal issues e.g. public interest	Industry affiliations
2	Professionalism e.g. obligations, objectivity, integrity
3	Employment contract e.g. competence, confidentiality
4	Social e.g. Society ideals, keeping up to dates,
5	Personal e.g. Personal friends , family and
6	Intrinsic values e.g. Intuition, self-concepts, personality attributes
	least important factors
	Personal values e.g. cultural preferences

Table 1: Priority List

 In order to avoid a malpractice Jimmy fails to renew Dev A’s contract for efficiency reasons. His ethical decision depicts a rational decision made within a complex situation. The cycle of making multiple ethical decisions considers and prioritises the most important factors. In this case, professional values and legal regulations provide the moral laws, which serve as prime authorities for right and wrong. There are standard measures such as accuracy, intellectual property and privacy, which deserve unconditional recognition. The pressure for Jimmy to cancel the performance review comes from strict adherence to standard procedures, which Alec was to follow. The case study has numerous illegal and unethical practices. These arise from poor priorities. Ben cancels Jimmy’s interview out of hearsay instead of carrying out an investigation on the rumours about a potential employee. Malpractice in business is the opposite of a virtuous act (Jones & Volpe, 2011). It could arise due to negligence, lack of moral practice and non-compliance to legal policies. Example of organizational malpractice include exploitation, violation of privacy, thefts, fraud and bribery. These represent the opposite of ethical or right deeds such as honesty, objectivity, integrity and transparency.

Ethics represent the core values of an individual, profession or group (Griffin, 2011, p. 202). The complexities involved in the application of ethical standards explains the need for an effective approach to rationalization of the best action to take in an ethical dilemma (Allen, 2012).  In the case study, Jimmy creates an environment of self-actualization, which influences his actions. Maslow’s humanistic approach explains why it would deem necessary to follow the intuitive in decision-making. However, the ethical business practices encourage a good perception of the organization and its regulations. Normative principles of ethics provide moral grounds for such proper actions such as transparency (Tuffley, 2012). The clash between personal values and professional ethics is common and most professionals lack a proper guide for making the right choice. From the theory, lack of prioritization causes leaders in the industry and top-level managers in the sector to do anything for money and position. However, placing business or corporate ethics at the top provides guiding principles, which deontologists consider as relevant and dutiful for specific operations (Cameron, 2012). These laws served as a guide for Jimmy’s individual decisions based on moral judgements. Jimmy’s professional experience shows gaps in organizational ethics. Although there are individual guides to ethics, organizations should encourage the practice of collective ethics.

Personal Attributes and Nurturing Environment in Ethical Decision Making

Reasons for the prioritization of the list comes from organizational ethics. The Institute for Global Ethics (2015) points out that most of the ethical failure arises from lack of organizational suport to boost the professionals. Research also shows a connection between business performance and ethical practices (Leroy, Palanski, & Simons, 2012). Prioritizing company ethics is important for retaining competent workers and clients in the IT industry have respect for such brands (Kapferer, 2012). Considering legal and professional factors first trains employees to do things in the right way. Industry players shape the outcome of a business in an industry. Lack of ethical practices and scandals in Jimmy’s environment indicate a misstep in the prioritization process. It affects project management processes and business operations. The choice notes that organizational heads, individuals and professional bodies need ethical practices in their duties. This is important in conflict management, handling risks and it prevents conflict of interest. Professionals require ethics and competence during work practice. This is part of their professional development (Bello, 2012). 

Prioritizing ensures the observance of duty as a priority in business and organizations. It weighs on the consequences of failing to fulfil the duty and it supports virtuous decisions. Prioritizing considers what each individual ought to have done in the specific work environment. It also looks at how they analysed made their options before making their choices (Ibe, 2017). This prevents bad outcomes such as corruption, bribery and blackmail. The unreported cases of industry malpractice comes from poor decisions made without concern for legal, professional and intrinsic values. Right and wrong decisions depend on the action and its consequences. Failure to consider legal grounds could lead to revocation of contract and termination of employment. Since ethics has limitations, determining the right action requires a reliable guide (William, 2011, p. 160).

EDM provides an adequate analysis for Jimmy, Alec and other professionals in this industry make ethical decisions. Everyone is seeking for ways to improve their individual welfare instead of doing what is morally right. Alec quits his job without prior notice nor resignation letter leaving the company in a vacuum. EDM states that a decision is rational and ethical if it considers the extrinsic and intrinsic attributes. Jimmy is keen on doing right that is why he finds it hard to cope in this new setting. In organizations, employees tend to make wrong decisions that are unfair to others because they fail to analyse scenarios. The interdependency and interrelationship in a work environment makes ethical decision making a crucial process (Grant & Berg, 2011). According to the normative theorists’ model, Alec knows that it is wrong to spread malicious rumours about a fellow colleague yet he does it. As a professional, he knows that it is wrong to give contracts to incompetent professionals yet he approves Dev A. He even disregards a performance review, which is a professional requirement. The failure to consider applicable ethics leads him towards making selfish decisions without regard for the effects on others.

Conclusion

EDM points at the prioritization of subjective ethics as the cause of this failure. Many professionals prefer to please themselves instead of taking time to think about the effect of proper action. Situations that compromise on ethical values often threaten professional development. Consequentialists support EDMs analysis of all possible actions before coming up with the most favourable action. Competent organizations have a plan for encouraging ethical actions. Effective punitive or reinforcement measures motivate appropriate actions (Dolgoff, Harrington, & Loewenberg, 2012). Employees like Jimmy and Alec tend to forget valuable principles such as honesty, integrity, loyalty and transparency when faced with ethical challenges. This breeds corruption, nepotism, unfair dealings and criminal activities. Lack of honesty in the IT contract business explains why Alec gives contracts to incompetent bidders. Although Alec has weak personal values, he does not take time to consider his duty as a professional. He follows the example of his rogue boss who threatens to black mail Jimmy.  Regular reminders of ethical values within the organization helps workers to make the right choices (Soltes, 2017).

Successful businesses adopt moral actions in procedures, functions and general operations because they are beneficial and protect from legal consequences. Modelling organizations using high standards of character helps to shape employees for a positive business outcome (Cooper, 2012). EDM helps managers to define quality decision procedures that shape reliable actions. Virtue ethics identifies the effect of the ethics chosen and determines the right choice. Businesses exist in an environment where competition is high and the temptation to make money at all costs is even higher. This is a breeding ground for greed, malice, unfair competition, manipulation and other vices. The IT industry provides rules, which organizations must follow when awarding project developers contracts in order to prevent these vices. EDM directs proper procedures to ensure accountability and prevents scandals like the Reaper data collection mentioned in the case study. Ethical principles highlight responsible actions for all workers in the organizations to follow (SHRM, 2013). Shaping ethical practices is a process that leads to good business action, workplace culture, and leadership. Workers are willing to internalize values if the organization promotes and insists on them.

Morality as duty based includes fairness in business dealings, contractual obligations and fair play in competition (Cameron, 2012). These principles direct the managers on how to communicate organizational values in a way that employees respect and follow. A workplace governed by morality makes compliance to legal and ethical policies important. This is a conducive working environment in which fairness and equality thrives. In a reputable organization, contractors or business partners do not feel discriminated against because the award of projects is on merit (Eshleman, 2014).

This approach is also conducive for business leaders who have a duty to lead by example. Normative theory advocates for moral law as a guide for business decisions (Cameron, 2012). Jimmy’s bosses have a role of making changes in case of complications in ethical decision-making. Ethics supports this notion pointing at the importance of exploring the ethical actions for the best possible options. This is crucial in the development of strategies like CSR that reflect on the industry’s mission and focus. Jimmy’s boss needs to apply normative ethics using the EDM approach of prioritizing and analysing who deserves a business contract or job reward.  EDM compliments performance and promotions reviews as related decision. Encouraging Jimmy to commit a crime before he can climb the corporate ladder nullifies the importance of performance appraisal. Alec disregards competence when awarding contracts to Dev A because of a wrong application. Ethical role modelling ensures that the company is consistent in applying ethical practices through legal, professional and intrinsic factors (Tuffley, 2012). Directors and business owners have a duty to ensure that credibility and values are applicable in an organization.

The case study relates to contemporary industry leaders in a capitalist market where maintaining ethical standards is a challenge because of personal preferences leading to greed and unfair competition (Trevino & Nelson, 2016). However, strict adherence to industry laws as stated by EDM helps managers to choose applicable principles. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) provides statutory guides on how organizations can compete fairly in the business environment (ACCC, 2010). Its scope includes issues of product safety, unfair market practices and price monitoring. It is wrong for Jimmy’s boss to inquire secretly about a competitors pricing plan when there should be accountability in reporting. This shows weaknesses in an industry where selfishness rules. 

Conclusions

Ethics is binding to an organization and lack of it causes chaos (Hillman, 2012). Obedience to ethics depends on its benefits and consequences. Its application stems from nature and nurture factors. Prioritising on the legal, professional and intrinsic values is important. Respect for ethics explains why Jimmy does wright while his bosses choose wrong practices. Bribing or soliciting information from Jimmy is illegal because it seeks selfish motives. If Jimmy’s former employer is ethical, he will choose the legal, professional and social benefits first. Going against this could lead to prosecution and legal suits.  The EDM model supports the use of laws and regulations as ethical guides for making decisions. Ethics protects employees through labour laws and organizations have a duty to respect the laws (Heersmink, van den Hoven, & van Eck, 2011).  It also encourages respect among colleagues and professional on competence. Organizations based on ethical foundations are virtuous and respectable (Adonis, 2012). Poor decisions such as favouritism, racial discrimination, gender bias, and cultural stereotypes hinder successful development in organizations because they have a wrong focus. EDM supports ethical values as effective in handling ethical organizational issues Cooper, 2012). Using EDM approach helps individuals to rationalize on actions that do not violate other people’s rights. This guides him to differentiate between personal desires and professional requirements through an assessment of the actions at hand. In order to solve complex issues, it in crucial to take a closer look at how actions affect others. This is different from allowing self-interest to rule because it translates to malpractice in the business setting.

Ethics as a subject has opened my eyes to the reality about effective management practices in organizations and industries. Case studies from real life situations reveal that it is impossible to gain professional competence without a proper model that captures professional and personal principles (Soltes, 2017: Adonis, 2012). From the course, I have learnt that the social environment and intrinsic values influence ethics. I agree that the nature has a greater influence on ethical values than nurture as seen in ethical dilemma cases. I feel enlightened to learn that EDM helps professionals to prioritize on the most important within legal, professional and personal ethics.  This prevents malpractice in the face of ethical dilemma in compromising situations. I agree that ethical decisions are important in professional development because they shape the integrity of a person.

I have learnt that the development of a professional in any field takes a process of knowledge acquisition as well as personal change. However, the evidence of a holistic development in an IT professional comes into effect during ethical decision-making. When faced with conflicting thoughts of action, individuals may find it hard to choose what is right because of competing interests. The reality in the contemporary business world raises questions about how I would make a choice between ethics and individual interests.

Principles of normative ethical theories remind me as a person that I need to choose right against pressing needs like career development, success and material gain. That is why I would apply EDM in analysing and prioritization of what is the right action. Faced with a multimillion-dollar deal in the midst of scandals and malpractice, I would apply what is legal and professional in order to avoid wrong moves such as bribery and corruption.  In using the EDM analysis, I would consider what would happen if I let go of right and wrong actions so that I can prioritize. Justifying what is right and wrong calls for a measure of professional codes and social factors. A deeper analysis of these situations makes me realize the dilemma faced by many professionals and businesspersons all over the world. I know that part of my job, as web developer is to deal directly with the clients. This is tempting for me because jobs done outside the office present opportunities for me to overcharge clients. However, I would analyse the situation and prioritize on my job for future and professional benefits.

The application of ethical principles is a reminder that poor decisions such as extortion and making fraudulent deals is wrong (ACCC, 2010). I also learn that this can only happen when there are reminders of what is right and what is wrong. EDM provides a good platform for me to remind myself of the legal, professional and personal values. From practical experience, I have learnt that people working in an organization need standards that measure ethics in all functions and operations. Allowing everyone to apply his or her standards of value creates chaos in an organization. In my opinion, a situation of anarchy in organizations comes from external factors hence I would use EDM external values to regulate myself. Failure to regulate the industry in the technology sector encourages organizations and people to do wrong. This leads to malpractice and unethical practices. Any new entrants in the industry realizes the trend and may end up joining wrong actors. Professionals trained abroad and fresh graduates joining a country for professional jobs and business have to adjust to the policies put in place. Shaping the industry takes a concerted effort from all stakeholders.

In my view, the Ethical Decision Model provides an ideal and effective method of selecting what is right from what is wrong. It breaks down ethics for individuals to think and make the right move. Having in mind the required policies an individual is able to shuffle through conflicting thoughts towards the right decision. I feel that this model is good because it considers the effect that an action has on other people (Eshleman, 2014). This prevents the self-seeking actions such as greed and corruption. If my action is going to affect other people or organizations outside my sphere of influence, I should reconsider my moves. If everyone takes careful steps in making moral decisions, the world will be a better place. However, I cannot ignore the fact that bad people are part of the system. Therefore, I can also use the EDM approach to correct an action. It shows me how to reappoint an employee who shows incompetency.

Organizations are instrumental in the development of ethical systems and structures. EDM facilitates for proper implementation of legal and ethical policies ensures that employees make reliable decisions that are just and within the stipulated laws. This is crucial because it prevents malpractice and legal crisis. Management practices in an organization facilitate for the development of ethics in order to prevent risks, resolve conflicts, streamline processes and ensure proper relationships.  People become better because of intrinsic and external ethics. Organizations gain reputation out of constant application of admirable practices. If I get a chance to lead any organization, I will invest in decision-making processes that are diligent and enhance corporate strategies. Ethics manifests in morality, integrity, organizational activities and values. Therefore, I will ensure that I lead by example because organizational leadership is critical in maintain organizational values. As a leader, I believe in instilling ethical practices in people so that they can commit themselves to values. The hardest part of leading is convicting employees to embrace values as personal principles (Cameron, 2012).

Having analysed ethical practices and EDM as a reliable framework in professional decision-making, I feel that the technology industry needs to invest in research on ethics affecting the sector (NIH, 2015). This dynamic industry experiences changes constantly. E-commerce presents one of the major challenges for industry players and organizations because of a weak legal framework to control the industry. That is why many companies engage in unethical practices under the cover of a virtual platform. My conclusion is that ethics is not a norm but a process of rationalization that guides individuals on what is right or wrong. I support the normative ideologies that morality determines what people ought to. I also support the use of EDM in contemporary ethical thoughts, which advocate for codes of conduct in professionalism.

Therefore, ethical decision-making processes rationalized using EDM are effective for both personal and professional ethics. However, inner conviction is the most important aspect of ethics because integrity becomes a choice when no one is watching. Most people display their moral actions in the presence of others or those in authority. However, compromising situations expose a person’s ability to think about right actions and unethical practices. I support the importance of individual motivation in morality as the foundation for organizational and professional ethics.

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