Business/Computer Ethics WHAT IS IT? TERMINOLOGY

KEY TERMS ETHICS RIGHTS VALUES MORAL VALUES BUSINESS ETHICS CONSTITUENCY DILEMMA

ETHICS A system of beliefs about conduct based on moral values Rules or standards governing the conduct of people

RIGHT Conforming with or conformable to justice, law, or morality in accordance with fact, reason, or truth What are some rights defined by Constitution? Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. the right of the people to keep and bear Arms The right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

VALUES Inner standards from which you receive the motivation to act as you do Standards by which you judge behavior Standards you judge self and others

MORAL VALUES Inner standards of right and wrong from which you receive motivation to act as you do Inner standards which you judge behavior of self and others Integrity Moral Values = Integrity

DILEMMA A situation for which there appears to be no “good” answer or solution. Answer does not satisfy equally all of one’s held values

Situations Find a wallet in a shopping cart? Return or keep? Tell instructor you have the flu because you want to go to a playoff game? You are hiring an employee whose duties are important to the company's success. The best qualified applicant is a female who appears to be pregnant. Do you hire the best qualified or pass to the next person who isn't pregnant? There have been different opinions – depending on amount, location – situational ethics For my class, honesty is valued over all else BTW, it is illegal to not hire because of pregnancy, but, there is no way to prove that's why you hired the other person.

STAKEHOLDERS Any group or individual that has a vested interest and will be impacted by decisions, actions or policies Also known as CONSTITUENCY and Shareholders

Who influences? Values Beliefs Biases Assumptions Attitudes Ethics

Sources of Influence Parents Religion Schools Peers Boss Experience Media Books

BUSINESS ETHICS Rules, standards, codes or principles which provide guidelines for “right behavior and truthfulness in workplace situations.

Good Ethics in Business is Important Protect business and employees from legal action Create an organization that operates consistently Avoid unfavorable publicity Gain goodwill of the community

Why is it important to act consistently with a code of principles? Many have the same basic principles and expect it of others; in business: Operate with honesty and integrity Treat colleagues, customers, and consumers as we want to be treated Accept personal responsibility for our actions Value diversity Make fact-based, principle-based decisions

One area that is negative Bribery = providing money, property, favors or anything else of value to someone in business or government in order to obtain a business advantage. Referred to as “kickback” or payoff Often a “white collar” crime

Assignment Addition Do One Random Act of Kindness