Explain the meaning of the following ethics traps: rationalization, conformity, following orders, lost in a crowd, and blind spots
?
Rationalization: When we do something wrong, we tend to be creative at explaining why it did not really count. In other words, rationalizing our behavior. Some common rationalizations are: "If I don't do it, someone else will," "Just this once," or "This is someone else's responsibility."
Conformity: Conformity is the notion that "Everybody else is doing it." Because humans are social animals, they are often willing to follow the leader. So if an employee notices everyone else acting in an unethical manner, he or she may follow (or conform) to that behavior.
Following Orders: When someone in authority issues orders, even to do something clearly wrong, it is very tempting to comply. Fear of punishment, the belief in authority figures, and the ability to rationalize all play a role.
Lost in a Crowd: When in a group, people are less likely to take responsibility, because they assume (hope?) that someone else will. They tend to check the reactions of others and, if everyone else seems calm, they assume that all is right. Bystanders are much more likely to react if they are alone and have to form an independent judgment.
Blind Spots: We all have a tendency to ignore even blatant evidence that we would rather not know.
You might also like to view...
Under the allowance method, Uncollectible Accounts Expense is recorded
A) for an estimated amount. B) several times during the accounting period. C) when an individual account is written off. D) for a known amount.
Which type of extrinsic reward can create a psychological distance across teams and hierarchies due to employees competing against each other and possibly exaggerating their duties to their managers and hoarding resources?
a. Skill–based pay b. Job content-based pay c. Performance-based pay d. Seniority-based pay
In order to be successful with a low-cost leadership strategy, company managers have to
A. develop and market products and services at that absolute lowest possible cost. B. pursue backward or forward integration to deter suppliers or buyers with considerable bargaining power and leverage. C. eliminate wholesale and retail intermediaries and instead sell directly to users of their product or service. D. perform value chain activities more cost-effectively than rivals and be proactive in revamping the firm's overall value chain to eliminate or bypass "nonessential" cost-producing activities. E. outsource the majority of value chain activities to nations that have lower wage rates and fewer regulations.
_____________ is essential for team effectiveness because it encourages members to work together to reach the same goal. However, too much of it can lead to lack of accountability and decision making.
What will be an ideal response?