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BS4209 - Formal Ethics Training in Organizations

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the robert gordon university

   

Ethics Training in Organization (BS4209)

   

Added on  2020-03-01

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BS4209 - Formal Ethics Training in Organizations Assignment, Ethics training has gained lot of importance since the past few decades. Today, most business organizations conduct ethics training programs with an aim of inculcating ethical decision-making in the organization's culture. Ethics training programs are formed keeping in mind the decision-making theories and empirical research which indicate the benefits of such training programs. Although, many research studies suggest that ethics training programs are effective in improving ethical-decision making of the employees and their conduct. However, it is argued that such ethics training programs are merely cosmetic.

BS4209 - Formal Ethics Training in Organizations

   

the robert gordon university

   

Ethics Training in Organization (BS4209)

   Added on 2020-03-01

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Running Head: IS FORMAL ETHICS TRAINING IN ORGANIZATIONS COSMETIC?IS FORMAL ETHICS TRAINING IN ORGANIZATIONS MERELY COSMETIC?Student nameProfessor NameSubjectUniversity
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2IS FORMAL ETHICS TRAINING IN ORGANIZATIONS MERELY COSMETIC?Is Formal Ethics Training in Organizations Merely Cosmetic?IntroductionEthics training has gained lot of importance since past few decades. Today, most business organizations conduct ethics training programs with an aim of inculcating ethical decision making in the organization culture [ CITATION Val04 \l 16393 ]. An ethical culture works as a roadmap for effective employee conduct, and other than ethics training organizations should alsodevelop programs and policies that would ensure permeation of ethical guidance in the organizational culture [ CITATION Val04 \l 16393 ]. Ethics training has seen various changes since last decade. Globalization and technological advancements have also contributed in sophistication of the ethics programs. Ethics training programs are formed keeping in mind the decision-making theories and empirical researches which indicate the benefits of such training programs [ CITATION LeC00 \l 16393 ]. Although, many research studies suggest that ethics trainingprograms are effective in improving ethical-decision making of the employees and their conduct.However, it is argued that such ethics training program are merely cosmetic[ CITATION War14 \l 16393 ]. The paper aims at studying the effectiveness of ethics training programs by conducting aliterature review. A critical review of the available literature suggest that, ethics training programs induce ethical thinking, provided the organization implements policies that facilitate permeation of ethical concepts in organizational culture. Based on the literature review and research findings, the paper argues that ethics training is not cosmetic, and that for long-term effectiveness of the ethics training, organizations must work towards internalization of ethics into the organization value system, through cultural adaptation of ethics.
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3IS FORMAL ETHICS TRAINING IN ORGANIZATIONS MERELY COSMETIC?Effectiveness of Ethics TrainingOrganizations adopt formal ethics training programs with a view of reducing unethical behavior. The ethics training program is designed to influence the behavior of employees. Warren, Laufer and Gaspar (2014) conducted a two-year study that assessed the influence of single ethics training session on the ethical behavior of employees [ CITATION War14 \l 16393 ]. The study found after first year of training session, employees showed positive effects, and by the second year also they showed signs of ethical behavior, however, after the second year the boost seemedto dissipated, which suggests that, mere ethics trainings are not enough, and cultural adaptation isrequired. Hence, to inculcate ethical behavior organizations must induce ethics in organizational culture [ CITATION War14 \l 16393 ].A recent study conducted by Muel Kaptein (2014), examines the effects of ethics training programs in organizations. The research study also focuses on the components of the ethics program which induce less unethical behavior in organizations [ CITATION Kap14 \l 16393 ]. The findings of the study suggest that organizations with ethics program face less unethical behavior than organizations with no ethics program [ CITATION Kap14 \l 16393 ]. In this study Kaptein (2014) describes some important functions of ethics training program for the training to be effective [ CITATION Kap14 \l 16393 ]. Firstly, the ethics training program must present a clear idea about the unethical behaviour [ CITATION Kap14 \l 16393 ]. More importantly, the ethics program requires the senior management to be the role model and demonstrate ethical behavior. A successful ethics training program will provide resources for employees to behave ethically and foster a commitment among employees to behave ethically [ CITATION Kap14 \l 16393 ]. A major function of the ethics training program is to reinforce ethical behavior among employees. Hence,
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4IS FORMAL ETHICS TRAINING IN ORGANIZATIONS MERELY COSMETIC?based on the findings of the study it is evident that formal ethics training programs are effective in reducing unethical behavior and inducing ethical organizational culture.Similarly, LeClair and Ferrel (2000) restate findings of Joe Murphy (1998) and suggest that an ethics training program which only says correct and ethical things, and only designs a code of ethical conduct, and impressive lectures from senior management and company lawyers, cannot be effective unless it does something substantive to prevent unethical behaviour, and deviations from ethical decisions making [ CITATION LeC00 \l 16393 ]. The research study argues that ethical training can be effective provided organizations induce an ethical culture[ CITATION LeC00 \l 16393 ]. The authors base their arguments on the basis of theories behind ethical decision makingmodels, like that of Hunt and Vitell (1986) which suggests that ethical culture is an important component for ethical decision making, and that organizational culture is largely influenced by appropriate ethics training. Need for Effective Ethics TrainingGlobalization and technological changes have changed the way organizations operate and even think, because, today innovation and creativity is key components for organizations to compete and sustain in the competitive markets. LeClair & Ferrel emphasize the increasing pressures which require the organizations to undertake initiatives to develop and implement ethics training programs. The study highlights the results of a study undertaken by the society of Chartered Life Underwriters and Chartered Financial Consultants, which states that, around 50% of US employees have accepted committing an unethical behavior related to technology [ CITATION LeC00 \l 16393 ].
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