Ethical Framework. Management Research Paper Assignment

Ethical Framework
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Ethical Framework
Introduction
It is important to observe ethical conduct across the various dimensions of daily life at both the individual level and as an organization. The achievement of such a noble objective calls for effective decision-making about what is right and wrong regarding a wide range of situations that one may come across in their daily lives. However, making ethical decisions is not always an easy task and often poses different challenges to both individuals and organizations as influenced by equally diverse contexts or situations necessitating its implementation. It is, therefore, important to have a reliable system for the development and implementation of ethical decisions whenever the need arises. There are different frameworks for ethical decision-making, which form around the equally unique ethical thought processes, upon which individuals and institutions alike may develop solutions for ethical problems or dilemmas faced. The development of an effective ethical framework should be informed by the analysis of the different sources of the ethical decision-making process. Provided herein is a description of an ethical framework based on such an analysis, its application to an ethical problem, and an assessment of how a different ethical decision-making process may apply in the future.
Description of the Ethical Framework
Ethical decision-making is dependent on a wide range of factors influenced by the basis or school of the thought concerning what is the right or wrong course of action for a given situation. The decision of what is right or wrong may vary depending on various elements that are integral to the development of the most appropriate course of action for dealing with the ethical dilemma or situation. There are three ethical theories that serve as excellent sources or basis for deliberating over the right and wrong course of action and thus proving vital to the development of an ethical solution for a given situation. The three ethical theories or sources aiding in the development of ethical frameworks include the consequentialist, non-consequentialist, and agent-centered theories CITATION Nor13 \l 1033 (Norman, 2013). The consequentialist theories focus more on the ethical repercussions of the course of action taken by an individual when faced with an ethical problem CITATION Hol16 \l 1033 (Holyoak, 2016). The non-consequentialist theories, on the other hand, put more emphasis on the objectives or intentions of an individual or organization for making decisions over what is the right or wrong course of action regarding a particular situation. Unlike the two outlined types of ethical theories, agent-centered theories, tend to be less focused on the rightness and wrongness of the course of action taken concerning an ethical problem and instead focuses on the ethical conduct or behavior of the individual or organization in question CITATION Nor13 \l 1033 (Norman, 2013). The three ethical theories form the basis for the development of ethical frameworks based on the different approaches taken for making ethical decisions across each of them. The theories provided thus give birth to three types of ethical frameworks; the consequentialist, duty, and virtue frameworks.
* Consequentialist Ethical Framework
The consequentialist ethical framework makes use of a deliberative process that brings into question the effects of one’s actions or ethical decision to all the stakeholders involved. In essence, the framework focuses on the consequences of each of the available courses of action with more emphasis on how they will affect either directly or indirectly all the parties involved CITATION Hol16 \l 1033 (Holyoak, 2016). It functions to identify the ethical course of action or conduct that will produce the most positive outcomes for all. It functions best in situations involving a large number of people as it helps to determine the course of action that will benefit a majority of the people involved.
* Duty Ethical Framework
The duty ethical framework builds around the principles of non-consequentialist theories of ethics. According to the framework taking the right course of action refers to always upholding one’s duty in doing what is right CITATION Hol16 \l 1033 (Holyoak, 2016). An individual’s set obligations and duties concerning a particular situation dictate the course of action to take and the ones to avoid. It calls for compliance with the set rules, responsibilities, and duties to make ethical decisions for given situations. The sense of duty or obligation to observing the said guidelines, rules, or regulations inform a person’s decision to choosing a particular course of action irrespective of the consequences accrued to the parties involved or affected by what is considered as the ethical decision.
* Virtue Ethical Framework
The virtue ethical framework, on the other hand, relies on the personality of an individual in deciding the rightness or wrongness of a situation CITATION Nor13 \l 1033 (Norman, 2013). The virtuous attributes of a person come into play in such situations as individuals are dependent on upholding and developing their character through the course of action taken in the advent of an ethical dilemma or problem. Ethical decisions are informed by the character traits that strongly define one’s personality as it focuses on revealing the traits behind the course of action taken in solving a given ethical problem or situation.
Personal Ethical Framework
The frameworks provided above provide an excellent platform for the development of an effective ethical framework for making ethical decisions at a personal level. As an individual, an effective ethical framework is one that takes into consideration the effects of or the consequences of the course of action taken in a given situation to all the parties involved. The framework further takes into consideration what is the right, fair, and just course of action as implied by the divine teachings of Christianity. The approach of the divine command as informed by my Christian background would form the basis of the entire framework. In essence, the Christian duty towards the well-being of all individuals or fellow human beings functions to influence the consequentialist principle of taking the course of action that benefits a majority of the parties involved. The divine command further allows for the development of a wide range of virtues for the development of additional and alternative sources for making ethical decisions in different situations. In essence, the personal ethical framework makes use of the different elements that are characteristi...