InfoGuides: LEAD 200 Dimensions for Ethical Leadership (Whyte): Ethical Issues and Dilemmas

Last Updated: Jan 16, 2023 3:35 PM

Ethical Issues and Dilemmas

What is an ethical dilemma? Ethical dilemmas are situations in which there is a difficult choice to be made between two or more options, neither of which resolves the situation in a manner that is consistent with accepted ethical guidelines. When faced with an ethical dilemma, a person is faced with having to select an option that doesn’t align with an established code of ethics or societal norms, such as codes of law and religious teachings, or with their internal moral perceptions of right and wrong. (from yourdictionary)

Ethical Cases and/or Issues

Dilemmas in Responsible Investment Imagine that you are a responsible investment money manager. One of your clients is asking you to sell her holdings in a company because it has been accused in the press of contracting with suppliers that have abusive labour conditions. You have to evaluate and benchmark the CSR performance of a number of companies from the same industry but among them there are companies, primarily the smallest, that provide little or no CSR information. One of your major clients is asking you to exclude companies involved in nanotechnology  What would you do?   Responsible investment (RI) - the integration of environmental, societal and governance (ESG) issues into investment decision-making - can be difficult and complex. Including or excluding companies, engaging with companies, partnering with stakeholders, evaluating environmental and societal controversies, defining criteria and, all the while, producing a competitive return for investors can raise multiple questions that cannot be dealt with simply. The practice of RI faces many such dilemmas as it seeks to balance the competing goals of business, society, and finance and to judge how best to reconcile what are often conflicting concerns.   Dilemmas in Responsible Investment examines the problems responsible investment practitioners face daily. It emphasises the importance of asking the right questions as well as getting the right answers; and the importance of process as well as product. The authors pay attention to the diversity of opinion and variety of approaches available. They also raise fundamental questions about the very purpose of investment and the responsibilities of investors, both economic and societal.   Although dilemmas in RI are not always easily resolved, Louche and Lydenberg believe that they are also a source of valuable and necessary debate about the appropriate role of corporations in society and the ability of the financial markets to appropriately serve the societies in which they operate. Such dilemmas provide a valuable framework for public debate and can encourage the emergence of innovative answers and approaches. Responsible investors join in these debates when they examine the societal and environmental implications of business activities, actions and behaviour Facilitate dialogue between corporations and their stakeholders Encourage corporate transparency on societal and environmental issues Reward companies that are making genuine efforts towards sustainability Integrate societal and environmental data into financial analysis. The book first of all provides a state-of-the-art overview of responsible investment, its history and development, explanations of key terms and a guide to the different actors involved in the field. Second, it presents 12 diverse hypothetical case studies that examine a wide spectrum of the challenges facing RI professionals, raising questions about the relationship between business and society, about the purpose of investment, and about the responsibilities of investors to various segments of society and the environment. The (often interconnected) cases present a dilemma, possible approaches available, variable factors, a variety of quotations and suggested responses from 35 leading professionals in the responsible investment community, real-world examples and comparisons and recommendations.   Accessible, vivid and illuminating, Dilemmas in Responsible Investment is the first book specifically written for teaching and professional training in responsible investment. It will be required reading for students, academics and practitioners in the areas of finance, ethics and CSR.
Ethical Considerations in Educating Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing The education of deaf or hard of hearing children has become as complex as the varying needs of each individual child. Teachers face classrooms filled with students who are culturally Deaf, hard of hearing, or post-lingually deaf; they might use American Sign Language, cochlear implants, hearing aids/FM systems, speech, Signed English, sign-supported speech, contact signing, nonverbal communication, or some combination of methods. Educators who decide what tools are best for these children are making far-reaching ethical decisions in each case. This collection features ten chapters that work as constructive conversations to make the diverse needs of these deaf students the primary focus. The initial essays establish fundamental points of ethical decision-making and emphasize that every situation should be examined not with regard for what is "right or wrong,” but for what is "useful.” Absolute objectivity is unattainable due to social influences, while "common knowledge” is ruled out in favor of "common awareness.” Other chapters deal with the reality of interpreting through the professional’s eyes, of how they are assessed, participate, and are valued in the total educational process, including mainstream environments. The various settings of education for deaf children are profiled, from residential schools to life in three cultures for deaf Latino students, to self-contained high school programs. Ethical Considerations in Educating Deaf Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing offers an invaluable set of guidelines for administrators and educators of children with hearing loss in virtually every environment in a postmodern world.
Ethical Decision-Making This text provides a unique collection of case studies across a wide range of organizations (higher education, K-12 education, military, state and local government administration, non-profit institutions, and agency management, etc.). These cases examine ethical decision-making and organizational and leadership behavioral concepts that are practiced in these organizations. The cases cover topics facing our workforce today and ask the reader to solve the dilemma. Through a discussion of these cases, students apply decision making and organizational and leadership strategies to analyze each case and therefore gain a better understanding of how to effectively lead and manage within their organizations. This text challenges students to think critically and analytically. Students are encouraged to reflect on options a practitioner could use to solve the problem. All of the cases end with an open scenario and a set of questions, allowing students to offer a wide range of opinions and participate in reflective and robust discussions. Perfect for courses such as: Introduction to Ethics | Introduction to Ethical Decision-Making | Principles of Ethical Leadership Ethical Organizations: Principles and Application | Introduction to Organizational Change
Ethical Dilemmas in Genetics and Genetic Counseling Knowledge of the genetic basis of human diseases is growing rapidly, with important implications for pre-conceptional, prenatal, and predictive testing. While new genetic testing offers better insight into the causes of and susceptibility for heritable diseases, not all inherited diseases thatcan be predicted on the basis of genetic information can be treated or cured. Should we test everyone who wants to know his or her genetic status, even when there are no possibilities for treatment? What is the role of the "right-not-to-know?" Do we test children for adult onset disorders becausethe parents just "have to know" or do we respect the children's right to choose when they are older? Do we allow commercial companies to offer genetic tests directly to consumers without the proper oversight regarding what the test results will mean?By using a creative approach that focuses on a single extended family as a case example to illustrate each chapter's key point, the authors elucidate ethical issues arising in the genetics clinic and laboratory surrounding many timely issues, including:* prenatal and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis* assisted reproductive technologies* incidental findings in genetic testing* gene patenting* testing children for adult onset disorders* direct to consumer testingEthical Dilemmas in Genetic Counseling: Principles through Case Scenarios is essential reading for anyone interested in the ethical issues surfacing in common genetics practice. Written exclusively by genetic counselors, it makes a significant contribution to the field of ethics in genetics and thuswill appeal not only to genetic counselors but to physicians, nurses, and all those concerned with bioethics and social science.