Ethical Dilemmas in Organizational Development
Added on 2022-12-15
32 Pages5563 Words327 Views
MSc
Informatio
n Systems
Manageme
nt
Pxxxxxxxx
De Montfort University
DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME
AS THE WORK WILL BE
ANONYMOUSLY MARKED
Assignment - Project Proposal
Ethical Dilemmas in Organizational
Development
IMAT5262 Research,
Ethics & Professionalism
in Computing
Informatio
n Systems
Manageme
nt
Pxxxxxxxx
De Montfort University
DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME
AS THE WORK WILL BE
ANONYMOUSLY MARKED
Assignment - Project Proposal
Ethical Dilemmas in Organizational
Development
IMAT5262 Research,
Ethics & Professionalism
in Computing
P Number: Pxxxxxxxx IMAT5262 Research, Ethics &
Professionalism in Computing
Abstract
Ethical issues in Organizational Development (OD) are typically concerned with the
way practitioners execute their business relationships with the organization
members. Proper business ethics in an organizational context effectively prevents
the occurrence of ethical dilemmas and issues. Over the course of the late
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Organizational Development or OD has
emerged under the leadership of multiple innovators and creators. The modern
theory of Organizational Development (OD) highly revolves around the ideas of
organization dynamics, group dynamics, behavioural sciences and communication
theories. The OD practitioners are subjected to deal with the various types of ethical
dilemmas that arise at the different stages or levels of OD. The most common
reason of ethical dilemma in organizations is potential conflicts in the nature of
values. In this context, Mason (2017) has pointed out that ethical dilemma in an
organizational environment is highly probable when the individual values does not
match with the social norms. However, the study is aiming to focus on the important
concepts, aspects and issues regarding ethical dilemma in the context of
organizational development.
Key Words
Ethical issue, ethics, ethical dilemma, organizational development, organizational
change
1
Professionalism in Computing
Abstract
Ethical issues in Organizational Development (OD) are typically concerned with the
way practitioners execute their business relationships with the organization
members. Proper business ethics in an organizational context effectively prevents
the occurrence of ethical dilemmas and issues. Over the course of the late
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Organizational Development or OD has
emerged under the leadership of multiple innovators and creators. The modern
theory of Organizational Development (OD) highly revolves around the ideas of
organization dynamics, group dynamics, behavioural sciences and communication
theories. The OD practitioners are subjected to deal with the various types of ethical
dilemmas that arise at the different stages or levels of OD. The most common
reason of ethical dilemma in organizations is potential conflicts in the nature of
values. In this context, Mason (2017) has pointed out that ethical dilemma in an
organizational environment is highly probable when the individual values does not
match with the social norms. However, the study is aiming to focus on the important
concepts, aspects and issues regarding ethical dilemma in the context of
organizational development.
Key Words
Ethical issue, ethics, ethical dilemma, organizational development, organizational
change
1
P Number: Pxxxxxxxx IMAT5262 Research, Ethics &
Professionalism in Computing
Contents
1. Background..........................................................................................................4
2. Research questions.............................................................................................4
3. Literature Review.................................................................................................5
3.1 Ethics in Organizations.......................................................................................5
3.2 Ethical dilemmas in organizational development................................................6
3.3 Types of ethical dilemma, their severity and impacts.........................................7
4. Methodology Review...........................................................................................8
4.1 Questionnaires....................................................................................................8
4.2 Interviews............................................................................................................8
4.3 Case Studies.......................................................................................................9
4.4 Focus Groups....................................................................................................10
4.5 Surveys..............................................................................................................10
4.6 Chosen Methodologies.....................................................................................11
4.6.1 Interview......................................................................................................11
4.6.2 Survey.........................................................................................................12
5. Conclusion..........................................................................................................12
6. Project Plan........................................................................................................12
7. Ethical Issues.....................................................................................................12
8. Consent Form.....................................................................................................13
9. Pilot interview questions...................................................................................13
10. Pilot survey questions and design...............................................................13
11. References......................................................................................................14
13. Appendices.....................................................................................................19
12.1 Appendix A......................................................................................................19
2
Professionalism in Computing
Contents
1. Background..........................................................................................................4
2. Research questions.............................................................................................4
3. Literature Review.................................................................................................5
3.1 Ethics in Organizations.......................................................................................5
3.2 Ethical dilemmas in organizational development................................................6
3.3 Types of ethical dilemma, their severity and impacts.........................................7
4. Methodology Review...........................................................................................8
4.1 Questionnaires....................................................................................................8
4.2 Interviews............................................................................................................8
4.3 Case Studies.......................................................................................................9
4.4 Focus Groups....................................................................................................10
4.5 Surveys..............................................................................................................10
4.6 Chosen Methodologies.....................................................................................11
4.6.1 Interview......................................................................................................11
4.6.2 Survey.........................................................................................................12
5. Conclusion..........................................................................................................12
6. Project Plan........................................................................................................12
7. Ethical Issues.....................................................................................................12
8. Consent Form.....................................................................................................13
9. Pilot interview questions...................................................................................13
10. Pilot survey questions and design...............................................................13
11. References......................................................................................................14
13. Appendices.....................................................................................................19
12.1 Appendix A......................................................................................................19
2
P Number: Pxxxxxxxx IMAT5262 Research, Ethics &
Professionalism in Computing
12.2 Appendix B........................................................................................................0
......................................................................................................................................4
......................................................................................................................................5
10. Consent Form.......................................................................................................5
12.3 Appendix C........................................................................................................6
12.4 Appendix D........................................................................................................8
12.5 Appendix E........................................................................................................9
3
Professionalism in Computing
12.2 Appendix B........................................................................................................0
......................................................................................................................................4
......................................................................................................................................5
10. Consent Form.......................................................................................................5
12.3 Appendix C........................................................................................................6
12.4 Appendix D........................................................................................................8
12.5 Appendix E........................................................................................................9
3
P Number: Pxxxxxxxx IMAT5262 Research, Ethics &
Professionalism in Computing
1. Background
Over the course of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Organizational
Development or OD has emerged under the leadership of multiple innovators and
creators. The modern theory of Organizational Development (OD) highly revolves
around the ideas of organization dynamics, group dynamics, behavioural sciences
and communication theories. The primary purpose of OD is to study and understand
the way an organization and its people work together in groups in order to achieve
specific goals as well as assist the business to attain the desired objectives. Ethics in
organizational development essentially consider the ethical role of managers, ethics
leadership, decision-making frameworks and moral development.
According to Smither, Houston and McIntire (2016), the lack of ethical principles and
a strong condemnation of certain organizational business practices have potentially
led to the failure of some prominent business organizations in the recent past. Due to
this reason, the concern for systematic moves regarding ethical decision-making has
substantially increased among the managers, organizational regulators and social
groups. The most common reason of ethical dilemma in organizations is potential
conflicts in the nature of values. In this context, Mason (2017) has pointed out that
ethical dilemma in an organizational environment is highly probable when the
individual values does not match with the social norms. According to Lefkowitz
(2017), many organizational managers consider the idea of business ethics to be
irrelevant. For instance, there might be instances where managers have taken
certain decision where the ethical standards were completely overlooked in order to
reflect high financial performance in a short time.
2. Research questions
How does ethical behaviour motivate organizational development?
How does decision-making regarding ethical dilemmas by managers influence
organizational development?
4
Professionalism in Computing
1. Background
Over the course of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Organizational
Development or OD has emerged under the leadership of multiple innovators and
creators. The modern theory of Organizational Development (OD) highly revolves
around the ideas of organization dynamics, group dynamics, behavioural sciences
and communication theories. The primary purpose of OD is to study and understand
the way an organization and its people work together in groups in order to achieve
specific goals as well as assist the business to attain the desired objectives. Ethics in
organizational development essentially consider the ethical role of managers, ethics
leadership, decision-making frameworks and moral development.
According to Smither, Houston and McIntire (2016), the lack of ethical principles and
a strong condemnation of certain organizational business practices have potentially
led to the failure of some prominent business organizations in the recent past. Due to
this reason, the concern for systematic moves regarding ethical decision-making has
substantially increased among the managers, organizational regulators and social
groups. The most common reason of ethical dilemma in organizations is potential
conflicts in the nature of values. In this context, Mason (2017) has pointed out that
ethical dilemma in an organizational environment is highly probable when the
individual values does not match with the social norms. According to Lefkowitz
(2017), many organizational managers consider the idea of business ethics to be
irrelevant. For instance, there might be instances where managers have taken
certain decision where the ethical standards were completely overlooked in order to
reflect high financial performance in a short time.
2. Research questions
How does ethical behaviour motivate organizational development?
How does decision-making regarding ethical dilemmas by managers influence
organizational development?
4
P Number: Pxxxxxxxx IMAT5262 Research, Ethics &
Professionalism in Computing
3. Literature Review
3.1 Ethics in Organizations
Many organizations have managers that find it difficult to recognize the specific
ethical issues that arise in the organizational business environment. According to
van Gils et al. (2015), ethical business practices refers to the creation of a shared
sense of vision, meaning and purpose to be able to connect the employees with the
organization. Employees that feel adequately connected to the organization through
ethical business practices are essentially entitled to value the community. Ferrell
(2016) suggested that the organizations that implement the ethical approaches are
able to focus on the development of employees as well as the organization as a
whole. Thus, the key ethical principle essentially requires valuing the individual
needs and focusing on individual growth and learning. According to Johnson (2018),
the overall organizational outcomes solely depends on the intrinsic and extrinsic
factors, the moral intensity associated with the organizational behaviour, and
business practices. The ethical behaviour and decision-making actions undertaken
by managers should be both morally and legally acceptable by the employees as
well as all the stakeholders that are either directly or indirectly associated with the
organization’s business processes.
According to Guillén, Ferrero and Hoffman (2015), business ethics is a highly
important concept in organizational development (OD) that guides the managers in
their ways in dealing with the employees, individuals, groups and other client
organizations. In this context, change managers have the responsibility to direct,
organize and facilitate organizational change and development. Managers might
face certain ethical dilemmas in attempts to establish some organizational change or
transformation. In this regard, Ferrell and Fraedrich (2015) says that every manager
needs to be adequately aware of the potential ethical dilemmas or the possibilities of
ethical issues that are inherent in the management. Business ethics help managers
to be more sensitive to the needs and concerns of their employees and at the same
time, always act in a consistent ethical manner. On the other hand, managers in the
modern organizations face rising pressure in terms of promoting ethical behaviour
across the organizational processes. Business ethics implementation can bring
about potential changes in the organizational culture. According to Lawton and Páez
5
Professionalism in Computing
3. Literature Review
3.1 Ethics in Organizations
Many organizations have managers that find it difficult to recognize the specific
ethical issues that arise in the organizational business environment. According to
van Gils et al. (2015), ethical business practices refers to the creation of a shared
sense of vision, meaning and purpose to be able to connect the employees with the
organization. Employees that feel adequately connected to the organization through
ethical business practices are essentially entitled to value the community. Ferrell
(2016) suggested that the organizations that implement the ethical approaches are
able to focus on the development of employees as well as the organization as a
whole. Thus, the key ethical principle essentially requires valuing the individual
needs and focusing on individual growth and learning. According to Johnson (2018),
the overall organizational outcomes solely depends on the intrinsic and extrinsic
factors, the moral intensity associated with the organizational behaviour, and
business practices. The ethical behaviour and decision-making actions undertaken
by managers should be both morally and legally acceptable by the employees as
well as all the stakeholders that are either directly or indirectly associated with the
organization’s business processes.
According to Guillén, Ferrero and Hoffman (2015), business ethics is a highly
important concept in organizational development (OD) that guides the managers in
their ways in dealing with the employees, individuals, groups and other client
organizations. In this context, change managers have the responsibility to direct,
organize and facilitate organizational change and development. Managers might
face certain ethical dilemmas in attempts to establish some organizational change or
transformation. In this regard, Ferrell and Fraedrich (2015) says that every manager
needs to be adequately aware of the potential ethical dilemmas or the possibilities of
ethical issues that are inherent in the management. Business ethics help managers
to be more sensitive to the needs and concerns of their employees and at the same
time, always act in a consistent ethical manner. On the other hand, managers in the
modern organizations face rising pressure in terms of promoting ethical behaviour
across the organizational processes. Business ethics implementation can bring
about potential changes in the organizational culture. According to Lawton and Páez
5
P Number: Pxxxxxxxx IMAT5262 Research, Ethics &
Professionalism in Computing
(2015), ethical behaviour by manager can promote higher employee productivity and
potentially enhance employee morale.
3.2 Ethical dilemmas in organizational development
Organizational development (OD) is essentially dependent on the norms and values
implemented across the organization. It essentially relates to business ethics where
dilemmas may arise when conflicts happen with respect to those norms and values.
A number of major ethical dilemma that may arise in OD. For instance,
misinterpretation and collusion may occur in terms of communicating information
involving various parties. Apart from that, misuse of data is another dilemma that
requires the client organization or the manager to decide what data is used and how
the data will be used. It is a major ethical dilemma if the confidentiality of the data is
compromised or breached.
According to McAlister and Ferrell (2016), there are ten individual stages in OD and
various ethical dilemmas can arise in each stage of the entire organizational
development and change process. Managers need to understand that consultants do
not only produce potential ethical issues and dilemmas implicitly, they can also be
produced by the client systems. For instance, the initiation stage of OD involves
information sharing by both the client system and the consultant. Thus, major
dilemma can occur if misinterpretation arises regarding the consultants’ background,
skill base as well as organizational interest. In the clarification stage, inappropriate
determination of the client or value orientation or avoidance of reality testing are
some potential possibilities of ethical dilemma. At the point of agreement or
specification stage, potential ethical dilemma associates high level of specificity in
terms of a wide range of activities and services along with the tenable time frame,
fee structure, resources and accountability of those resources and services. At the
same time, significant ambiguity may result from inappropriate definition of the
organizational problems. As a result, collusion between individual parties may occur
in this stage.
For the past few decades, the acceptance and demand of Organizational
Development programs are rapidly increasing. As a result, the ethical dilemmas and
issues surrounding the organizational development (OD) practices and methods are
receiving more attention and importance than never. The technical ineptness, goal
6
Professionalism in Computing
(2015), ethical behaviour by manager can promote higher employee productivity and
potentially enhance employee morale.
3.2 Ethical dilemmas in organizational development
Organizational development (OD) is essentially dependent on the norms and values
implemented across the organization. It essentially relates to business ethics where
dilemmas may arise when conflicts happen with respect to those norms and values.
A number of major ethical dilemma that may arise in OD. For instance,
misinterpretation and collusion may occur in terms of communicating information
involving various parties. Apart from that, misuse of data is another dilemma that
requires the client organization or the manager to decide what data is used and how
the data will be used. It is a major ethical dilemma if the confidentiality of the data is
compromised or breached.
According to McAlister and Ferrell (2016), there are ten individual stages in OD and
various ethical dilemmas can arise in each stage of the entire organizational
development and change process. Managers need to understand that consultants do
not only produce potential ethical issues and dilemmas implicitly, they can also be
produced by the client systems. For instance, the initiation stage of OD involves
information sharing by both the client system and the consultant. Thus, major
dilemma can occur if misinterpretation arises regarding the consultants’ background,
skill base as well as organizational interest. In the clarification stage, inappropriate
determination of the client or value orientation or avoidance of reality testing are
some potential possibilities of ethical dilemma. At the point of agreement or
specification stage, potential ethical dilemma associates high level of specificity in
terms of a wide range of activities and services along with the tenable time frame,
fee structure, resources and accountability of those resources and services. At the
same time, significant ambiguity may result from inappropriate definition of the
organizational problems. As a result, collusion between individual parties may occur
in this stage.
For the past few decades, the acceptance and demand of Organizational
Development programs are rapidly increasing. As a result, the ethical dilemmas and
issues surrounding the organizational development (OD) practices and methods are
receiving more attention and importance than never. The technical ineptness, goal
6
P Number: Pxxxxxxxx IMAT5262 Research, Ethics &
Professionalism in Computing
and value conflicts are some major issues arising in organizational development that
need proper implementation of business ethical principles. Several studies in the
past few decades have attempted to identify the major areas of organization
development (OD) in which the managers encounter significant ethical dilemmas.
Thus, there are some effective approaches and strategies can be undertaken in
order to overcome these ethical issues during the process of organizational change
and development.
3.3 Types of ethical dilemma, their severity and impacts
Technical ineptness is a potential ethical dilemma that demands openness about the
professional weaknesses of the employees. In other words, Eisenbeiss and van
Knippenberg (2015) suggested that it is highly important for individuals to be open
about their lack of knowledge or understanding regarding a particular area, be it a
technical or non-technical field of expertise. Openness is essential to enable the
managers in understanding the skills and capabilities of their team members.
Furthermore, Demirtas (2015) suggests that a manager needs to be familiar with the
particular talents and abilities of his or her subordinates so that proper training and
awareness can be provisioned to those who lack technical expertise. Moreover, it
further helps in full utilization of the talents, skills and expertise of the employees for
their own individual improvement as well as overall business benefit for the
organization.
Another dilemma is regarding ambiguity on the stakeholder needs versus the client
needs. According to a recent study, potential dilemma exists in terms of a large
extent of ambiguous requirements between the clients and the stakeholders. In
addition to that, it is essential to recognize the need for confidentiality of
organizational information. Any form of impediment of the confidentiality and
consistency of the data results in potential ethical dilemma in the organization. Apart
from that, managers need to ensure the sharing and transfer of complete knowledge
to avoid any misinterpretations, which may lead to significant loss in business.
Therefore, providing complete knowledge is essential to avoid ethical issues in the
organizational workplace.
Driskill (2018) has identified some major areas from where potential ethical dilemma
in an organizational environment can arise. For example, the trust issue between the
7
Professionalism in Computing
and value conflicts are some major issues arising in organizational development that
need proper implementation of business ethical principles. Several studies in the
past few decades have attempted to identify the major areas of organization
development (OD) in which the managers encounter significant ethical dilemmas.
Thus, there are some effective approaches and strategies can be undertaken in
order to overcome these ethical issues during the process of organizational change
and development.
3.3 Types of ethical dilemma, their severity and impacts
Technical ineptness is a potential ethical dilemma that demands openness about the
professional weaknesses of the employees. In other words, Eisenbeiss and van
Knippenberg (2015) suggested that it is highly important for individuals to be open
about their lack of knowledge or understanding regarding a particular area, be it a
technical or non-technical field of expertise. Openness is essential to enable the
managers in understanding the skills and capabilities of their team members.
Furthermore, Demirtas (2015) suggests that a manager needs to be familiar with the
particular talents and abilities of his or her subordinates so that proper training and
awareness can be provisioned to those who lack technical expertise. Moreover, it
further helps in full utilization of the talents, skills and expertise of the employees for
their own individual improvement as well as overall business benefit for the
organization.
Another dilemma is regarding ambiguity on the stakeholder needs versus the client
needs. According to a recent study, potential dilemma exists in terms of a large
extent of ambiguous requirements between the clients and the stakeholders. In
addition to that, it is essential to recognize the need for confidentiality of
organizational information. Any form of impediment of the confidentiality and
consistency of the data results in potential ethical dilemma in the organization. Apart
from that, managers need to ensure the sharing and transfer of complete knowledge
to avoid any misinterpretations, which may lead to significant loss in business.
Therefore, providing complete knowledge is essential to avoid ethical issues in the
organizational workplace.
Driskill (2018) has identified some major areas from where potential ethical dilemma
in an organizational environment can arise. For example, the trust issue between the
7
End of preview
Want to access all the pages? Upload your documents or become a member.
Related Documents
Ethical Issues of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Business Organizations and Societylg...
|23
|5595
|37
RFID Chip Implants and Ethical Issueslg...
|30
|5725
|24
Ethical and Moral Dilemmas of Computing Professionalslg...
|18
|4270
|86
The Difference Between Professionalism And Ethicslg...
|23
|5788
|12
IMAT5262 : Research, Ethics & Professionalism in Computinglg...
|25
|4532
|88
Research Proposal on AI and Roboticslg...
|22
|4112
|312