Bruce Lloyd and Rushworth M. Kidder
Presents a discussion with Rushworth M. Kidder, President of the Institute for Global Ethics. Kidder considers the central ethical issue of our time to be the continuity of the…
Abstract
Presents a discussion with Rushworth M. Kidder, President of the Institute for Global Ethics. Kidder considers the central ethical issue of our time to be the continuity of the human race, because of the way that technology today enables us to leverage individual decisions. His concern is that we are raising an entire generation of people without their own built‐in sense of ethics. The major global priority is to understand and reinstate the concept of community and what it means to live within a community. Argues that there are five core values that people keep coming back to as we raise this question. People talk about love or compassion, kindness or caring; they talk about honesty, integrity, truth telling; they speak of fairness, equity, justice; they talk about responsibility and accountability for one’s actions; and they talk about a sense of respect, tolerance of diversity, and a willingness to appreciate other people. These are all critical and we should be optimistic about making progress into the next millennium.
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This paper outlines a framework for engaging international business in the Palestinian‐Israeli peace process, based not on traditional profit models but on corporate social…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper outlines a framework for engaging international business in the Palestinian‐Israeli peace process, based not on traditional profit models but on corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Design/methodology/approach
A crucial ingredient to Middle East peace is an economic development process providing jobs, stability, and growth in the West Bank and Gaza. This paper reports on a 26 member consultation at Windsor Castle, England, convened by the Institute for Global Ethics (IGE) in September 2002 to bring together Palestinians and Israelis from the region with business leaders and professionals from Europe, the US, and Canada. The consultation was preceded by an IGE research paper and followed by a published report.
Findings
A discussion of the arguments for CSR engagement in the Middle East, along with two key documents agreed by the participants, are reported here. A “statement of principles” identifies six traits of successful CSR activities in the region. The second, listing 21 “practical steps for promoting economic development,” identifies potential business interventions listed in descending order of risk, complexity, cost, and long‐term commitment, including such items as “create micro‐enterprise opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and commit to purchasing their outputs,” and “help create management and/or skills training programs within the region.” The participants strongly agreed that the global business community, acting within a CSR framework, could significantly advance the prospects for Middle East peace.
Originality/value
This paper will interest business executives, CSR proponents, diplomats and economists, and leaders within the region seeking ways to jump‐start the currently stalled peace process.
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Development of legitimate teaching cases demands cases be factual, that is that they use “real people, real companies, real situations,” and, usually, present time. Rarely, do…
Abstract
Development of legitimate teaching cases demands cases be factual, that is that they use “real people, real companies, real situations,” and, usually, present time. Rarely, do cases deal with historical happenings in which lives, as well as fortunes, could be lost to achieve desired ends. History provides rich material on which to build teaching cases with the added advantage of acquainting students with the past and the influence the past has in shaping the future. Answers to the question of “Why use historical teaching cases” are related to the more general question of “Why study history.” Both questions are addressed.
Donald L. Kanter and Lawrence H. Wortzel
In this article we will report the results of a study that measured the degree to which cynicism and alienation, together with some related dimensions, were found among American…
Abstract
In this article we will report the results of a study that measured the degree to which cynicism and alienation, together with some related dimensions, were found among American women. The results of this study strongly suggest that, if cynicism and alienation are taken into account, many marketers may be positioning their offerings to reach only a minority of American women, perhaps as few as one‐third. We will also, therefore, discuss the larger marketing ramifications of these findings.
Wanda V. Dole and Jitka M. Hurych
The purpose of this paper is to identify core values commonly held by library and information professionals and discusses whether Rushworth Kidder's concept of dilemma paradigms…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify core values commonly held by library and information professionals and discusses whether Rushworth Kidder's concept of dilemma paradigms may be used to analyze and resolve conflicts between the right to access to information and other core values. Kidder identifies two types of dilemmas: “right‐versus‐wrong” and “right‐versus‐right”. He defines “right‐versus‐right” dilemmas as those that “however complex and varied, typically reduce themselves to one or more of the following dilemma paradigms: Truth versus Loyalty, Self versus Community, Short Term versus Long Term and Justice versus Mercy.”
Methodology/design/approach
The paper discusses Kidder's theory and applies it to several situations or scenarios reported by practicing librarians.
Findings
The analysis of the scenarios highlights the complex nature of dilemmas faced by library and information professionals.
Research limitations/implications
The scenarios are limited in number and drawn from only one country. The authors recommend more research on the application of Kidder's theory to authentic library scenarios.
Originality/value
There is little discussion of Kidder in library literature. Despite the limitations, this paper will introduce librarians to dilemma paradigms as one possible tool for resolving conflicts.
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This paper aims to offer a framework of five questions for analyzing ethical dilemmas faced by managers and professionals. The framework's main purpose is to help individuals…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to offer a framework of five questions for analyzing ethical dilemmas faced by managers and professionals. The framework's main purpose is to help individuals understand the nature of ethical issues and to avoid making ethical mistakes – decisions or actions that are unintentionally unethical that they would later regret and wish they could undo.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework developed is based on traditional ethical theories reframed into a set of simple questions that have been applied in a variety of private‐ and public‐sector organizations to help managers identify and resolve ethical dilemmas and conflicts.
Findings
The benefits of this framework are that the five questions cover the broad range of underlying factors that create ethical issues and dilemmas, are simple and easy for individuals to understand and remember and, considered together, help to identify conflicting ethical priorities.
Practical implications
Most breaches of ethics are not intentional and most individuals want to behave ethically. Their breach of ethics is often the result of making decisions without adequately thinking through the implications and possible consequences. The application of this simple framework can help individuals and organizations avoid making such ethical mistakes.
Originality/value
The framework has helped public‐ and private‐sector organizations evaluate and cope with ethical issues and value conflicts.
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The purpose of this paper is to clarify the concept of self as applied to leadership and propose an understanding of how a leader should form conceptions of self, and use these in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to clarify the concept of self as applied to leadership and propose an understanding of how a leader should form conceptions of self, and use these in his or her own development.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on self‐, personality‐ and developmental psychology, the paper examines a variety of theoretical foundations, and ties these into the context of leadership and self‐development.
Findings
The paper concludes that the self is core, consciousness, and action. The particular characteristics and qualities of the self determine the leader's comprehension of him or herself as a human entity, and is a leader's gateway to self‐confidence and self‐esteem. Leaders therefore need to cultivate an understanding of self by engaging in formative processes which are related to their ability to learn from defining situations, thus raising awareness of points of convergence in a leader's career.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is limited to a conceptual discussion, and further research is needed to verify the proposed hypothesis. Future research should concentrate on empirical work.
Practical implications
The practical outcome is concrete advice, that leaders must engage in processes where their own willpower, beliefs, assumptions, values, principles, needs, relational patterns and social strategies are subject to feedback and testing if their aim is to develop themselves. Self‐development is not the training of skills, nor solely dependent on cognitive strategies.
Originality/value
Most leaders face pressure to develop themselves. The recommendations herein clarify what is a self concept applicable for leaders, and assist in identifying domains, processes and schemata applicable for leadership self‐development.
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Brigid Limerick and Terri Field
A number of writers argue that discussions around ethics and moral behavior have traditionally been gender blind, with ethical behavior being conceptualised from a masculine…
Abstract
A number of writers argue that discussions around ethics and moral behavior have traditionally been gender blind, with ethical behavior being conceptualised from a masculine standpoint. This paper gives voice to a group of senior women in the Queensland, Australia public service as they reflect on what is needed to develop a more ethical public service. Four main themes emerged from the messages they wished to share with their colleagues concerning the on‐going process of developing a more ethical public service. These were: the importance of role‐modeling and community engagement where ethical behavior is concerned; the importance of encouraging dialogue and open debate about work practices; the importance of understanding and enacting the move to relationship‐based management; and the importance of reaffirming that public service is about service.