Cultural Values and Ethics

I originally wrote this piece for MBA500 at University of Phoenix. However, I believe it is relevant because we must know who we are and where we come from before we can decide where we are going.

Introduction

George Washington, Founding Father and first President of the United States, “believed a pious citizenry was indispensable to a republican government, and, therefore, that civil government could and should endorse religion” (Munoz, 2003, p. 12). However, his contemporaries, in the spirit of the writings of John Locke, believed the private sector should be encouraged to become the driving influence in morality and values (Davis, 2000). Americans are struggling in an increasingly amoral society to hold onto their cultural values and beliefs. This paper will discuss how structured values within an organization are beneficial to the organization as well as to the employees.Personal ValuesEthical decision-making is determined by a framework of personal values. This framework is built by years of education, work, and life experience. Starting in the third grade, my parents sent me to Catholic school. Besides English, math, and science, I learned discipline, responsibility and Christian values. When I was a freshman in high school, I was diagnosed with cancer. I knew by that point that God was in my life. There was never any doubt. I knew it like I knew Math and English. I owe that to my Catholic education.During my first few years of college, I had a rough time dealing with the after effects of chemotherapy. My self-esteem was low, and I let people take advantage of me. It was only when I returned to the environment of a Catholic education that I was able to take control of my life. I enrolled at Immaculata College, a small Catholic women’s college near where I grew up. At the college level, I learned about God in a whole new light. He was no longer holding a scorecard. He offers love, understanding and hope.Furthermore, I have had the opportunity to work for several small organizations that have been owned or managed by God-fearing people. In one instance, I had the pleasure of accompanying the President of a former place of employment to Ash Wednesday Mass. Time was taken out of the day to allow all employees to observe this Holy Day of Obligation.Going to Church every Sunday has never been a part of my routine. However, the values, principles, and support that my Catholic education has provided, have proven to be invaluable to me.I am lucky enough that I still have both of my parents in my life. They are very happy together. I have a loving brother who married my best friend, and they are happy together. Even in my extended family, divorce is practically non-existent. We are a close-knit family despite the miles between us. I have always known that I am loved and accepted by my immediate family, aunts, uncles and cousins. My husband is a wonderful man who is principled and honest. We know that marriage is hard work and are willing to put the time and energy in to have a happy life together.Organizational Values“Societal ethics requires that we spend extensive energy in generating options that go beyond the simplistic quick-fix” (Glaser, 1994, p. 20). In today’s economy, I believe that organizations have a social responsibility to promote moral philosophies among their employees. The J.Jill Group, a retail women’s clothing distributor, promotes social responsibility in the community. When I worked at the corporate headquarters in Tilton, New Hampshire, the company offered time off with pay one day a year to the employee volunteering his time to a local charitable organization. We also held fundraisers for various organizations year round and donated overstock to local women’s organizations.Ethical DilemmasHaving been subject to work for an organization that was less than honest in its practices, I can personally say that it wreaks havoc on one’s ability to function normally as a person. If “the ultimate motivator for human adults…can be thought of as the need to maintain and develop one’s self-concept and one’s self-esteem” and for many people occupational self-image is the most important part of their total self-image, then organizations have a responsibility to their employees to maintain an ethical working environment in which the opportunity for self improvement is available (Schein, 1994, p. 77).Cultural ValuesTop level executives have the opportunity to be of tremendous influence in the lives of employees. By putting together a comprehensive mission statement that defines the purpose of the organization and its culture, they can set a standard for achievement. It is very important that these executives live by the principles they put forth. An excellent mission statement means nothing if the people who wrote it do not adhere to the spirit in which it was written. Human resources should get involved to integrate the mission into the culture of the organization. Stress comes in many different forms, and the pressure to maintain profitability is high. If positive ethical expectations are clearly defined and the organizational culture embraces these values, people are more likely to do what is morally right (Chatman & Spataro, 2005).Conclusion    In the matter of ethics, choices are not always clear. Sometimes we are forced to make decisions between competing values (Glaser, 1994). It is then that my understanding and faith in God assist me in making the right decision. The years of structured moral guidance are an asset to me just as much as any other formal education.

Lisa Landry

www.myBenefitsPlus.com/llandry

www.HealthandLibertyNow.com

References  Chatman, J.A., & Spataro, S.E. (2005). Using self-categorization theory to understand relational demography-based variations in people’s responsiveness to organizational culture. Academy of Management Journal, 48(2), 321-332.Davis, D. H. (2000, Spring). Reflections on moral decline in America: consulting the founding fathers’ views on the roles of church and state in crafting the good society [Editorial]. Journal of Church and State, 42(2), 237-246.Glaser, J. W. (1994). Three Realms of Ethics: Individual, Institutional, Societal. Kansas             City, MO: Sheed & Ward.Munoz, V. P. (2003). George Washington on religious liberty [Electronic version]. Review of Politics, 65, 11-33. Schein, E. H. (1994). Organizational behavior (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.