Organizational Ethics: A Practical Approach

by Craig E. Johnson

Overview

We are constantly faced with ethical decisions, no matter what organizations we join. The ethical choices we make determine the health of our businesses, schools, government agencies, religious congregations, charities, and other institutions. Our ethical decisions also determine our career success or failure. Bestselling author, Craig E. Johnson, shows how we can develop our ethical competence, just as we develop our abilities to manage or oversee operations.

Every chapter of Organizational Ethics: A Practical Approach, Third Edition provides readers with opportunities to apply ethical principles and practices in a variety of settings through self-reflection, analyses, projects, and discussion. Written in a reader-friendly style, each part of the book is layered around organizational behavior. The parts introduce moral theories used in ethical problem-solving; examines individual motivations; looks at the ethical dilemmas of groups, teams, and leaders as well as offers strategies for creating ethical cultures and promoting social responsibility. This book shows how readers can develop their ethical expertise and provides opportunities to practice problem-solving to defend their decisions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781071904183
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	01/21/2025
Edition description:	Sixth Edition
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	7.38(w) x 9.12(h) x (d)

About the Author

Craig E. Johnson (Ph D, University of Denver) is professor emeritus of leadership studies at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, where he taught undergraduate and graduate courses in leadership, ethics, and management. During his time at the university, he served as founding director of the George Fox Doctor of Business Administration program and chair of the Department of Communication Arts. He is the author of Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership (also published by SAGE) and coauthor, with Michael Z. Hackman, of Leadership: A Communication Perspective. He has published research findings, instructional ideas, and book reviews in the Journal of Leadership Studies, the Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, the Journal of Leadership Education, Academy of Management Learning and Education, the International Leadership Journal, Communication Quarterly, Communication Reports, and other journals. When not teaching or writing, he enjoys working out, reading, fly-fishing, volunteering, watching sports, and spending time with his spouse.

Table of Contents

List of Case Studies, Self-Assessments, Ethical Checkpoints, and Contemporary Issues in Organizational Ethics
Introduction: Making the Case for Studying Organizational Ethics
Acknowledgments
About the Author
PART ONE. PRACTICING PERSONAL ETHICS IN THE ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1. Ethical Competencies and Perspectives
Developing Ethical Competencies
Defining Organizational Ethics
Ethical Perspectives
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
CHAPTER 2. Components of Personal Ethical Development
Component 1: Discovering Vocation
Component 2: Identifying Personal Values
Component 3: Developing Character
Component 4: Creating a Moral Identity
Component 5: Drawing Upon Spiritual Resources
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
CHAPTER 3. Ethical Decision Making and Action
Components of Ethical Behavior
Decision-Making Formats
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
PART TWO. PRACTICING INTERPERSONAL ETHICS IN THE ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 4. Ethical Interpersonal Communication
Dialogue: An Ethical Framework for Interpersonal Communication
Ethical Communication Competencies
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
CHAPTER 5. Exercising Ethical Influence
Questions of Power
Ethical Issues in Influence
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
CHAPTER 6. Ethical Conflict Management
Conflict in Organizational Life
Becoming an Ethical Conflict Manager
Resolving Conflict Through Ethical Negotiation
Combating Aggression and Sexual Harassment
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
PART THREE. PRACTICING LEADERSHIP, FOLLOWERSHIP, AND GROUP ETHICS
CHAPTER 7. Leadership and Followership Ethics
Ethical Leadership
Ethical Followership
Meeting the Moral Demands of Followership: Principles and Strategies
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
CHAPTER 8. Improving Group Ethical Performance
Acting as a Morally Responsible Team Member
Responding to Ethical Danger Signs
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
PART FOUR. PRACTICING ETHICS IN ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS
CHAPTER 9. Building an Ethical Organization
Making Ethics Matter
Components of Ethical Culture
Cultural Change Efforts
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
CHAPTER 10. Ethical Marketing, Finance, Accounting, and Human Resource Management
Ethical Marketing
Ethical Finance and Accounting
Ethical Human Resource Management
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
CHAPTER 11. Promoting Organizational Citizenship
The Organization as Citizen
Promoting Organizational Citizenship
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
CHAPTER 12. Ethics in a Global Society
The Dangers of Globalization and the Challenges of Ethical Diversity
Developing Cross-Cultural Ethical Competence
Chapter Takeaways
Application Projects
Notes
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

Craig provides a well-structured and comprehensive treatment of organizational ethics in a down-to-earth style. The relevant and cross-sector cases and examples make this an accessible learning tool for any student from any discipline.

Linda G. Olson

A very student-based, skill-building, introspective, and action-based approach to ethical decision-making that is more personal and practical.

Joe Gerard

Versatile, easy-to-read, equipped with plentiful instructor resources, and comprehensive in the discipline.

Kathryn Woods

[This] is a very applied textbook that helps students become better ethical decision makers.

John Tichenor

Johnson has provided a well thought out, thorough, and enjoyable text.

John Osoinach

[This is] a well-written text book that provides undergraduate students a basic understanding of workplace ethics and one that provides faculty numerous ancillary ideas for creating an engaging course.

Denise M. Cumberland

This is an excellent text that succeeds in being intellectually rigorous, philosophically insightful, and well-grounded in psychology and the social sciences. If you are considering any change in the textbook you use for your business ethics course, I would recommend Organizational Ethics.

Robert Bass

Organizational Ethics provides strong insight into the increasingly important field. Ethics is moving from being an optional business activity to becoming an integral part of any business that wishes to be successful and this book provides a particularly strong grounding in the practical aspects of ethics.

Joseph K. Fitzgerald

An excellent, practical, student-centered, introductory organizational ethics text for undergraduates.

Glen E. Chapuis

An easy to read and compelling overview of ethics in the organizational context.

Joel T. Mackey

Very complete ethics coverage from personal to corporate. Up-to-date illustrations. Wide variety of methods used and available to introduce the material.

Pam Meyer

"Craig provides a well-structured and comprehensive treatment of organizational ethics in a down-to-earth style. The relevant and cross-sector cases and examples make this an accessible learning tool for any student from any discipline."--Linda G. Olson

"Johnson has provided a well thought out, thorough, and enjoyable text."--John Osoinach

"Organizational Ethics provides strong insight into the increasingly important field. Ethics is moving from being an optional business activity to becoming an integral part of any business that wishes to be successful and this book provides a particularly strong grounding in the practical aspects of ethics."--Joseph K. Fitzgerald

From the Publisher