Embedding Ethics

Embedding Ethics

Introduction

In modern society, there are diverse moral values that guide different communities. Business ethicists should be active in promoting communitarian and dialogical ethics in their organizations. This paper looks into the power of dialogue as a means of facilitating ethical practices. The authors propose that businesses embed dialogic partnerships through dialogic research, debate and finally the representation of ideas

Purpose of the paper

The article explores communitarian and dialogical ways of instilling business ethics in the community as well as the organization. The ‘users of the information’ for this article are business ethicists. Subsequently, it urges normative ethicists to change what they do by developing norms that can be used across different organizations. According to Macklin and Mathison (2017), there is a research gap in the scarcity of normative ethical theories. Although the ISCT tries to bridge the gap, it does not support the communitarian approach. The article proposes dialogue in the process of making moral judgments.

Findings

ISCT Theory of Business Ethics

One of the focused business theories is the Integrated Social Contract theory. The ISCT is a philosophy that is dependent on societal contract in making moral decisions. It aims at providing a framework that managers can use in making ethical decisions. The ethical theory is closer to the organization in departments such as human resources (Macklin & Mathison, 2017). However, it highly relies on the social contract. The theory assumes that moral reasoning is separate from the burdens of everyday life. Therefore, the authors propose dialogue, which is a more communitarian approach and is in line with the encumbrances of life.

Communitarian Business Ethics

In the majority of communities, morality is based on historical meanings. According to the communitarian perspective, the individual’s morality and ethics is based on the community in which he or she lives (Macklin & Mathison, 2017). Further, it is argued that the individual cannot be able to make moral decisions on their own that are in line with the moral values of the community. The authors say that the community shapes the moral choices that individuals make. Communitarian business ethics aims at maintaining relationships with individuals in the community. This philosophy emphasizes that individuals have duties within the community and rebukes the individual isolated values.

Dialogic partnerships

Self-critique and cross-disciplinary collaboration can be used to embed dialogic companies. In dialogic teaching, self-critique is essential since it enables one to monitor themselves in dialogue and to reflect on how they are contributing to the discussion. Self-reflection is very important for individuals while making a moral judgment. Cross-disciplinary collaboration emphasizes discussing as part of curricula in academic institutions. Managers and other ethicists should take up an active role in being co-creators of the process of promoting ethical action.

Potential Application

To instill ethics in the organization, the article suggests that a 3-part approach involving; dialogic research, debate, and re-representation. In Dialogic research, empirical research by business ethicists is vital to assist them in understanding ethics at work (Macklin & Mathison, 2017). The information obtained can then be used in formulating the organization’s moral and ethical guidelines, as well as solving problems. The article also proposes business ethicists have a debate that is aimed at knowing values and norms that cut across different communities and organizations. These debates can be conducted in conferences, seminars, and lecture halls. In this latter approach, business ethicists are required to disseminate ethical ideas that they have developed in the debate and empirical research (Macklin & Mathison, 2017). They should be active change agents in this process by reintroducing the ethical norms.

Evaluation

All in all, the article proposes a dialogic approach to instilling business ethics in the organization.  The authors suggest that businesses embed dialogic partnerships through dialogic research, debate, and, finally, the representation of ideas. Academics can form dialogic partnerships through the curricula used and pedagogy. This approach is more effective than traditional theories of ethics, such as ISCT, since it offers practical advice to business practitioners. The article mainly focuses on outlining the application of the process it is advocating for. However, the report leaves numerous unanswered questions. In summary, dialogic partnerships and having a focus on the community’s values are essential in embedding business ethics.

Reference

Macklin, R., & Mathison, K. (2017). Embedding ethics: Dialogic partnerships and communitarian business ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 153(1), 133-145.