Business Ethics Advancing Ethics in Public Organizations

Question: Discuss about the Business EthicsforAdvancing Ethics in Public Organizations. Answer: Introduction: The success as well as the eminence of a public sector establishment solely depends upon the ethical Values and the conduct of public functionaries. It is of fundamental significance that they act honestly and ethically. Unlike other organizational set up, the public sector organizations and the public functionaries need to be fair, honest and unbiased in their dealings. As, they are directly working with society and for its development, the self-interest and biased outlook need be subordinated for ensuring the common good in all conditions, especially where the risk of the conflict of interests or other issues may arise as an ethical dilemma. Discussion: As discussed in the provided case study, the public functionaries often face such circumstances, which create dilemma and conflict in their ethical sense and organizational commitment. As opined by Beeri et al. (2013), the idea of ethics in the public sector can be discussed with both the anti corruption and the integrity approach. Here, in the given case the manager is facing a two-way conflict in the ethical approach. He wants to help his friend, as it is his duty as a friend. On the other hand, he has to perform his professional integrity as well as avoid the illegal dealings. Here, in this provided case study, the manager is facing a number of ethical issues those the real life public sector professionals often face. As opined by Svara (2014), an ethical dilemma takes place from the circumstances that require a choice among opposing sets of principles. Here, in the provided case, the ethical concerns that are arising from this conflicting situation can be described as follows: Nepotism: As opined by Taiwo (2015), one of the major ethical issues that the public sector professionals face is nepotism. It is about showing favor to the relatives or the close friends by using the power associated to the designation. Here, if the manager takes his decision in favor of Radax, he will commit nepotism. This will lead to the misuse of the power and the organizational resources. This biased decision will degrade the organizational efficiency and cause harm to the society (Wright et al. 2012). The Conflict of Interests: As stated by Nicolaescu (2013), the ethical dilemma arises when the professionals face the conflict of interests w3hich can be identified as the confusion of making choices between the personal or familial interest and the broad organizational as well as the societal interest. Here, the manager knows that the Radax does not have the best bid and taking the decision if its favor will cause the organization more monitory as efficiency costs. On the other hand, if he turns down his friends request, it will cost him a broken relationship. The Public Accountability: In the public sector organizations, the professionals are accountable to the higher authority as well as the public court. As discussed by Kaptein (2013), public accountability posses as on e of the major ethical dilemmas to the public sector professionals. Here, in the given case, the manager may want to help his friend by making an unethical decision, but it will convict him of breaching him the public trust. White-Collar Crime: As opined by Frederickson and Rohr (2015), the actions of a professional can e described as the white collar crime if he makes an illegal or unethical decision by abusing the trust and power associated to the designation or pursues an action in the same way. Here, in the given case study, if the manager directs his course of action to the profit of his friend, it will break the trust of the government. Now, if the manager decides to favor his friend over the other bidders, it will cost the organization and the society negatively. Such behavior of the manager will cause the organization more cost in installing the systems, as the other bidders has made better bids and their quality is also better than that of Radax. As, it is a public organization, it will actually cause the society bear more cost for lees quality. It will also result in the breach of trust of public by the whole of the organization and thus affect the functionality. Moreover, this unethical decision of the manager will make not only the manager but also the whole organization and the government accused of violation of the civic laws and corruption (Sebola 2014). A number of issues can influence the probable course of action of the manager. As discussed by Lawton et al. (2015), the ethical pattern of action can be influenced by both the individual moral development as well as the cultural values of the organisation where he or she works. In the context of the given case, it is expected that the manager will follow the ethical decision-making process and he will be devoid of making decision in favour of his friend. Now, while discussing about the influencing agent, it can be said that both the individual as well as the organizational values should influence the manger (Gilman 2014). The Organizational Culture: As opined by Menzel (2012), the values of an institute or department influence the employee conduct and decision-making. In the given case, the organization is a public one. They are dedicated to the development and service of the society. If the organization maintains this value from its core and by following the required regulations, the manger will feel his duty and obligation to be fair and take decision in favor of the society. It will also restrict him from corruption. The Individual Moral Development: As opined by Kearns (2014), most often the employees follow their own ethical values while taking decision. In the given case, if the values and the psychological needs of the manager support the ethical guidelines, he will direct his decision in favor of the organization and then the society. If the manger has a strong personal value base, he will surely make ethical decisions whatever the personal consequences he has to face. Conclusion: It is very difficult for a public servant to avoid the ethical dilemmas. As they are instrumental in creating the greater good, it is always needed for them to be ethically correct in their decision. Here, the manager needs to turn down his friends request and take the decision for the societal good. However, in the conclusion, it can be said that by following the strategy of reward and appreciation, the strong legal regulations and whistle blowing, the public organizations can ensure better ethical response from their employees. References: Beeri, I., Dayan, R., Vigoda-Gadot, E. and Werner, S.B., 2013. Advancing ethics in public organizations: The impact of an ethics program on employees perceptions and behaviors in a regional council.Journal of business ethics,112(1), pp.59-78. Frederickson, H.G. and Rohr, J.A., 2015.Ethics and public administration. Routledge. Gilman, S.C., 2014. Codes, Damn Codes, and Laws: Continuing Controversies in Public Administration Ethics.Public Administration Review,74(5), pp.571-572. Kaptein, M. ed., 2013.Workplace Morality: Behavioral Ethics in Organizations. Emerald Group Publishing. Kearns, K.P., 2014. Maintaining Public Trust.Ethics in Public Management, p.265. Lawton, A., van der Wal, Z. and Huberts, L., 2015. 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