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Integrity: The individual in the organisation. David Long Canterbury Christ Church University IPW Helsinki Metropolia Business School, Finland May 13 – 17 2013. Individual Integrity
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Integrity: The individual in the organisation David Long Canterbury Christ Church University IPW Helsinki Metropolia Business School, Finland May 13 – 17 2013
Individual Integrity ‘an adherence to moral principles or values... a consistency in one’s beliefs or action that endures, despite inducement or temptation to deviate from them.’ (Crane and Matten 2007)
Integrity: some philosophical perspectives Confucian view: the virtue of jen – more than compliance to a set of rules Buddhist-Christian view– focus on what is eternally significant, rather than on the ‘self’ Virtues approach – doing the right thing. Modified from Koehn D. (2005) JBE 58; 125-136
Integrity as a Business Asset • Integrity is not well defined • Compliance with moral norms and expectations? • Business view that integrity has market value • Avoiding short-term thinking? • Maintaining healthy relations with all stakeholders • Selling products and services that are genuinely valuable? • Having prudence to avoid unwise courses of action • Respect for diversity. Koehn D. (2005) JBE 58; 125-136
The Importance of Integrity • Rules do not necessarily encourage ethical behaviour • No single right answer to many ethical dilemmas • A good person will take the right action • The importance of Professionalism • Sense of moral responsibility is a pre-requisite for moral action (Trevino & Nelson 2011).
Courage Self-control Generosity Magnificence High-Mindedness Gentleness Friendliness Truthfulness Wittiness Modesty. Aristotle’s Virtues
Views of Joseph Desjardins • Ethical dilemmas are fundamentally ambiguous • Human character has been neglected in favour of the application of general principles to specific situations • The ability to apply lessons learned from the past to new situations in the present • The application of reasoning of situations, rather than forced use of preconceived categorisation • A ‘good ‘person (virtuous) will have practical wisdom to do the right thing (Phronesis). (Virtues & Business Ethics, Joseph Desjardins, cited in Chryssides & Kaler 1993)
Compliance versus Integrity • Compliance: • Rule-based • Legal approach • Prevention of misconduct • Sanctions for violations • Integrity: • Values-based • Encourage commitment • Guiding principles • Self-governance approach Obedient Virtuous (Lawtion et al, 2013)
Characteristics of a ‘Professional’ Person • Knowledgeable • Proficient • Masterly • Autonomous • ‘Business-like’ • Emotionally detached • Honourable • Trustworthy • Ethical?
Common Features of Professional Groups • Educational path • University degree? • Training and development • Continuing Professional Development (CPD) • Codes of practice • Membership of a Learned Society or Institute • Specific professional qualifications competence • Licensed practitioners • Maintaining proper standards • Research and development in particular field • Acknowledged reputation in society?
Role of Professional Societies • Accredit individual professional competence and integrity • Advise governments and society of matters related to the profession • Initiate debate on issues of importance • Set standards for: • Work • Education • Provide opportunities for networking and sharing problems and solutions • Enable specialist groups to develop • Most importantly, set standards for professional conduct ... Compliance?
Doing Well v Doing Good Integrity in the workplace involves acceptance of ‘socialised power’ A professional working with integrity will : Believe in the importance of centralised authority Have a keen sense of justice and rewards hard work Feel responsible for developing the organisation Use power for common good Create a good working climate Help others succeed and commits them towards organisational goals. (Curtis 2003)
Towards an Ethical Agenda: What British people think needs changing Source: IBE 2013
Challenges to Integrity in Business Constantly changing business environment Pressures on costs and revenues Intensive competition – traditional markets under attack Markets – local, national and global Customers becoming more demanding.
Towards an Ethical Outcome • Gather the facts • Define ethical issues • Identify affected parties • Identify consequences • Identify obligations • Consider your character and integrity • Think creatively about potential actions • Check your gut feeling (Trevino and Nelson 2007)