Identify the key initiatives that are required to build a values-driven culture that is defined by integrity

Primary Discussion Response is due by Friday (11:59:59pm Central), Peer Responses are due by Tuesday (11:59:59pm Central).

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400-600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas:

Note: All character and company names are fictional and are not intended to depict any actual person or business.

Theresa and Mike want to create a merged company that is defined by a culture of integrity, thus aiding employees in making ethical decisions, such as in Joe’s ethical dilemma. They will begin by understanding the methods of embedding ethical decision making and behaviors into the culture, including their responsibilities as leaders. You, the consultant, are asked to provide recommendations and guidance to help them shape the culture they intend. This discussion is about values, a culture of integrity, and the role of leaders in creating and maintaining it.

Materials in Beyond the Book, intellipath, and the M.U.S.E. will help you prepare for this discussion.

Answer the following:

Identify the key initiatives that are required to build a values-driven culture that is defined by integrity. 

Discuss the development of values, including what ethical theories underpin organizational values.

Discuss specific decision-making processes that lead to ethical decision making. Include any insights from your professional experience. 

What programs or processes help achieve a values-driven culture of integrity? 

Identify the key behaviors required of Theresa and Mike to embed the desired culture.

What is their role in leading the initiatives? 

What actions are important to communicate and establish alignment across the merged organization?

During the merger, Theresa and Mike will have to opportunity to redefine the culture and values of the company. It is important that they create a code of conduct that applies to everyone and one of integrity. Employees should feel free to ask questions, raise concerns, and correct or report potential ethical or legal violations. This will create a culture of high performance and employees who take accountability for the company’s results. “A well-written and well implemented code of ethics is seen as a useful ethical instrument because it clarifies the public values, provides an important guide for making decisions on complicated ethical issues, and indicates the basic standards of behavior to be expected from public sector employees” (Snellman, 2015).

Their policies should teach employees what concerns would violate the code of ethics and how to report these issues. Advising employees that the code of conduct should not be compromised to meet a goal is important. The company culture should encourage questions and reporting. If an employee feels as though the information they report is not confidential they are less likely to speak up about their concerns. They may include a non-retaliation clause in the code of conduct. Retaliation may damage respect and trust among the employees.

Mike and Theresa should include a gift or bribery section in the code as well. By defining what gifts can be given and/or accepted, an ethical breach is less likely. The company may even decide thresholds on the value of items that can be received. Lastly, safety should also be noted in the code of ethics. A strong safety culture will allow employees and customers to raise concerns. If these values are addressed within the code of conduct, Mike and Theresa will create a company with high performance and integrity.

The ethical theories that could apply to Mike and Theresa’s code of conduct would include: Utilitarianism, Care, and Virtue theory. Utilitarianism would create the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people in the company. This would include stakeholders and employees. Care theory would encourage strong, durable relationships throughout the company. Lastly, virtue theory would encourage employees to act out of their own good character and strong moral code.

Mike and Theresa would also want to teach employees the process of making a rational and ethical decision. By teaching them the rational choice model, employees would be able to define problems, weigh the alternatives, and make better decisions for the company. If employees are not taught how to make optimal decisions there is a chance for ethical dilemmas or conflicts of interests to escalate.

As leaders of the merge, Mike and Theresa must lead by example. They will need to conduct training company-wide to reinforce the new values and code of conduct. If upper management leads by example this will create a work climate that reflects the company’s values. It is important to live by these values and ethics daily to reinforce and maintain the culture.

References

Colorado Technical University. (2018). Ethical Decision Making [Unit 2: Multimedia Presentation]. Retrieved from Colorado Technical University Virtual Campus, INTD 670-1803B-04: https://mycampus.coloradotech.edu

Editorial Board. (2015). Conflict Resolution. Leadership and Ethical Decision Making. Retrieved from https://studentlogin.coloradotech.edu/

Snellman, C. L. (2015). Ethics management: How to achieve ethical organizations and management? Business, Management, and Education, 13(2), 336-357. doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.cecybrary.com/10.3846/hme/2015.244

Responses to Other Students: Respond to at least 2 of your fellow classmates with at least a 100-word reply about their Primary Task Response regarding items you found to be compelling and enlightening. To help you with your discussion, please consider the following questions:

What did you learn from your classmate’s posting?

What additional questions do you have after reading the posting?

What clarification do you need regarding the posting?

What differences or similarities do you see between your posting and other classmates’ postings?

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.

Akramah,

It is essential that management follows the guidelines they set forth. Leading by example is one of the best ways they can influence their team. I also agree that utilitarianism and virtue theory would support the organization best. By creating the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people, and relying on the employee’s solid character, the organization will thrive.

I liked how you said that some follow the code of conduct best when spelled out for them, and some just have a natural understanding. Some may need to refer back to the code of conduct often, and others may only need to read it once, but if they practice it daily it will become second nature.

Kaylee,

The merger could lead to different stresses, but like you said, it is also a time for improvement and opportunities. If Mike and Theresa are able to lead the teams through creating a mission statement and code of conduct that brings together each of the company’s strengths and create compromises, the new company will be successful.

I also agree that it will be imperative that the team is organized and has a well-developed plan. The lines of communication between the team must remain open and everyone’s opinions should be heard. Mike and Theresa will be able to give an outsider and expert opinion. If the team is cohesive they are more likely to find success.