Business Ethics

Business Ethics: An Ethical Decision-Making Approach presents a practical decision-making framework to aid in the identification, understanding, and resolution of complex ethical dilemmas in the workplace. Focuses exclusively on three basic aspects of ethical decision making and behavior—how it actually takes place, how it should take place, and how it can be improved Uses real-life examples of moral temptations and personal ethical dilemmas faced by employees and managers Discusses the biases, psychological tendencies, moral rationalizations, and impact of self-interest as impediments to proper ethical decision making Includes relevant examples of ethical misconduct and scandals appearing in the news media

Acknowledgments ix Introduction to Ethical Decision Making 1 Part One Descriptive Theory 21 1 What Determines Ethical Behavior? 23 2 The Ethical Decision-Making Process 59 3 Impediments to Proper Ethical Decision Making 93 Part Two Normative Framework 127 4 Distinguishing Right from Wrong 129 5 The Decision to Report Misconduct 159 Part Three Practical Application 189 6 Developing and Sustaining an Ethical Corporate Culture 191 7 What Would You Do? Common Workplace Dilemmas 231 Conclusion: Navigating the Moral High Road 259 Appendix A: Factors Affecting Moral Character 271 Appendix B: Descriptive Ethical Decision-Making Models 277 Appendix C: Normative Ethical Decision-Making Models 287 Appendix D: Business Ethics in Hollywood Movies 293 Index 299