Self-Reflection on Ethical Decision Making in the Workplace

This self-reflection discusses the decision-making process in ethical dilemmas in the workplace. It explores assumptions, cognitive models of moral development, and emotions that inform decision making. The summary highlights the importance of empathy, rationality, and cultural background in ethical decision making.

Running head: SELF-REFLECTION 1
Self-Reflection
Name:
Institution:

SELF-REFLECTION 2
The decision I made
After considering the case that we undertook in class, I decided that, as the parties in
both cases had their own moral reasoning that informed their behavior, therefore, their behavior
afterward could be justified. For example in the case of Ryan, he evaluated the options that he
had which made him focus more on the end goal which was a good commission which would
have help with the mortgage given that he was already behind on payment (Vyakarnam et.al,
2017). There was also moral tolerance on the disagreement and ambiguity which he had with his
boss where they disagreed about the values and course of action to take (Gaudine & Thorne,
2016). Therefore, considering these issues and my rational reasoning about these cases, and also
the situations they were in, I concluded that, none of the actions from the parties came from a
malicious place, all they were focused on is the end results which would have been favorable to
their businesses and to them personally, hence making it hard to determine whether their actions
were right or wrong.
Assumptions which informed my decision
I assumed that having, moral sensitivity, where one recognizes that there is an ethical
issue, helps a person make an ethical decision or determine the consequences of the decisions we
make on daily basis. Also, having perspective and empathy skills, where I consider my feelings
towards others before making a decision, becomes an essential component in our moral actions
as we become more sensitive to potential negative or even positive effects of the choices we
make which make one to predict the likely outcomes better (Kim & Johnson, 2013). Therefore,
using my empathy skills where I will imagine myself in their situation to see their perspective so
as to understand their point of view where I practice openness and humility upon their views. So

SELF-REFLECTION 3
I tried to understand the reasons as to why the parties in the cases did what they did with an open
mind which informed my decision above. Also once I identify an ethical problem, I make a
rational judgment on the right or wrong thing to do in the situation. With this in mind, I
understand that we as individuals, we progress through several moral stages where we engage in
a more complex way of reasoning as we progress up the stages, but also we develop broader
morality definitions as we become less self-centered.
In this case, I saw conventional thinkers who seek other people’s guidance when faced
by an ethical dilemma and when trying to decide on what actions to take as they wanted to live
up to the expectations of their bosses by taking a broader perspective on the situation. By
studying their actions carefully and also considering if that was I in that situation, what I would
have done made me understand their point of views even better on taking the actions they took
which also informed my decision. But I also understand that, based on my decision, I don’t mean
that what they did right, but it’s tough to decide or even judge them wrongly, in my opinion.
Cognitive models of moral development provided me with the insights that led me to make the
decision I made. I can attribute this to my education which promotes my moral development
which in turn fosters my moral reasoning and considering other people’s points of view which
informs my decisions. This is because a broader perspective is always important in decision
making by considering the viewpoints of others which enables us to come up with superior
solutions (Wright, 2016).

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Reasons for these assumptions
One of the reasons is the fact that moral values sometimes conflict with other values
which are significant as well (Roman & Luis, 2015). Individuals sometimes would genuinely
feel that they should do the right thing, which we get from our upbringing and also our cultural
values, but the integrity is overpowered when some of them realize that they might pay a
personal price for acting in a manner that is ethically correct or even a need that there were
looking forward to eagerly might not be fulfilled which most of the times informs their decisions
(Pfister & Bohm, 2014). Another reason is my personal character; where I trust or rather rely on
other people’s actions which give me great interpersonal reactivity index which allows me to
understand and approach individual differences differently, which greatly influences my moral
behavior and actions. I have a strong will and will and confidence in my abilities and also an
internal locus of control which motivates me to do the right thing but also considering several
factors in the situation. This allows me to define a problem carefully, gather more information,
apply ethical and personal values and standards, and evaluate the alternative courses of action
which enhances my decision making.
Also, my cultural background and emotions is another reason why I came up with the
assumptions. This is because: rapid decisions are sometimes based on one’s background and they
are good decisions, but not always though (Taggart, 2011). But am still comfortable with it
because my deliberations are always informed by my emotions, preconscious experiences, and
intuitions not forgetting my conscious reasoning. Another is the knowledge that, sometimes the
values that seem irreconcilable can be resolved through compromise of a creative solution by
bringing competing factions together which can end up being a favorable decision in the long run
(Shaw et.al, 2015).

SELF-REFLECTION 5
Also the knowledge that identifying and describing a problem is key to solving a
problem, therefore, because I evaluated the situation in the case study, I got everything that i
needed to make a decision. Also, I don’t try to avoid controversy by avoiding the use of moral
terminology to describe a decision that I made thinking that doing that will make me appear
capable and strong. I tell the truth on my decision even when it’s not what everybody wants to
hear and also apply my cognition skills where I acquire knowledge and understanding through
my thoughts which has played an important part in making the decision that I made and also the
reasons that led me to the decision. Lastly, the knowledge that the hunger for success can make
an individual go to greater extent in order to achieve it which could sometimes lead to
compromising some laid out rules which could make ethical behavior or matters worse in some
cases and in others, it could turn out to be what was needed (Finegan, 2018).
How I felt about the decision
I felt guilty about my decision as it somehow goes against the ethical behavior that
should be observed at all times in our workplaces. Trying to justify or support what the parties in
the case study did, which is punishable as it goes against the moral and ethical guidelines laid
out. This self-conscious emotion encourages us to follow and obey the rules to the letter and to
uphold the social order at all times. Feelings like these are triggered when the norms and social
conventions are violated and when we fall short of the moral standards and guideline that are put
in place (Zeelenberg et.al, 2018). This feeling keeps me from engaging in decision-making
behaviors that could damage further and can easily drive me to withdraw my sentiments. It also
motivates me to make a decision that is helpful to others as well as treating them how they
should be treated. It also encourages me to make help, comfort and alleviate the pain of others
which I might have caused through my decision. Therefore in experiencing this feeling, chances

SELF-REFLECTION 6
are that they are ethical dimension to the decision that I made and that I need to look even further
so as to determine if indeed this is the case.
Reasons for this feeling
Feelings and intuitions play a major role ethical decision making as they direct our
moral choices and also that it’s not possible to make any decisions that are important without
these emotions clouding our judgment (Jones, 2017). Therefore, this feeling was entirely elicited
by the violation of ethical guidelines that I consider to be acceptable but also, on the other hand,
the situations in the case study conflicts with what I believe in as it a real ethical dilemma. Also
because, considering my values, I developed some behavioral intentions with regards to these
dilemmas, therefore knowing the actions that were morally justifiable and right, I still had to
consider whether morally right was as significant as behaving in a way that somehow could
result in favorable outcomes. Another reason is, I felt that the individuals allowed themselves to
be pressured by certain environmental factors that pushed them to behave unethically which was
wrong. If they were able to control themselves for some time, they couldn’t have found
themselves in the position they were in.
Also, individuals seeking to develop some behavioral intentions so as to respond to
moral dilemmas usually look for their colleagues to get behavioral cues (O’Fallon & Butterfield,
2012). Another reason is that I feel like the individuals in the case study could have exercised
high levels of intelligence, emotionally, which should have made them conscious of their
emotions strength which could have enabled them to regulate the behavioral actions motivating
them to apply situational appropriate behaviors while responding to the ethical dilemma.
Therefore, I could not be having this feeling of guilt, if that was the case as my decision could

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have being totally different. Lastly, individuals with an internal locus of control, like myself, are
more likely to make decisions having the confidence that they have the ability to make a
difference and those with religious beliefs are more likely to determine the behavioral responses
that is morally appropriate for a certain situation based on their beliefs.

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References
Finegan, J. (2018). The impact of personal values on judgments of ethical behaviour in the
workplace. Journal of Business Ethics, 13(9), 747-755.
Gaudine, A., & Thorne, L. (2016). Emotion and ethical decision-making in organizations.
Journal of Business Ethics, 31(2), 175-187.
Jones, T. M. (2017). Ethical decision making by individuals in organizations: An issue-
contingent model. Academy of management review, 16(2), 366-395.
Kim, J. E., & Johnson, K. K. (2013). The impact of moral emotions on cause-related marketing
campaigns: A cross-cultural examination. Journal of business ethics, 112(1), 79-90.
O’Fallon, M. J., & Butterfield, K. D. (2012). A review of the empirical ethical decision-making
literature: 2012. Journal of business ethics, 59(4), 375-413.
Pfister, H. R., & Böhm, G. (2014). The multiplicity of emotions: A framework of emotional
functions in decision making. Judgment and decision making, 3(1), 5.
Román, S., & Luis Munuera, J. (2015). Determinants and consequences of ethical behaviour: an
empirical study of salespeople. European Journal of Marketing, 39(5/6), 473-495.
Shaw, D., Shiu, E., & Clarke, I. (2015). The contribution of ethical obligation and self-identity to
the theory of planned behaviour: An exploration of ethical consumers. Journal of
marketing management, 16(8), 879-894.
Taggart, G. (2011). Don’t we care?: The ethics and emotional labour of early years
professionalism. Early Years, 31(1), 85-95.
Vyakarnam, S., Bailey, A., Myers, A., & Burnett, D. (2017). Towards an understanding of
ethical behaviour in small firms. Journal of Business Ethics, 16(15), 1625-1636.

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Wright, M. (2016). Can moral judgement and ethical behaviour be learned? A review of the
literature. Management Decision, 33(10), 17-28.
Zeelenberg, M., Nelissen, R. M., Breugelmans, S. M., & Pieters, R. (2018). On emotion
specificity in decision making: Why feeling is for doing. Judgment and Decision making,
3(1), 18.

SELF-REFLECTION 10
Appendices
Diagnostic tools
1. Through emotions- how I react to other people situation.
2. Rationality- how I reason
3. Through learning- studying other people’s actions.
4. Comprehensive justice scale- how I feel about punishments.
5. Judgment- how I judge the actions of others.
6. Deciding- what I think about difficult actions.
7. Empathy- how I feel about others.
8. Morality- how I make ethical decision.
9. Disgust- what I would and wouldn’t do.
10. Cognition scale- my attitude towards other people mental work.
11. Trust- the willingness to rely on others actions.
12. Interpersonal reactivity index- how I approach individual differences.