Rationalizations for Unethical Behavior in Organizations PPT
This PPT slide, part of the 21-slide Corporate Compliance: Ending Unethical Behavior PowerPoint presentation, outlines eight rationalizations that individuals often use to justify unethical behavior. It focuses on the last 4 rationalizations, which include "Perpetrate for Greater Cause," "Justifying Wrong by Doing Right," "Asserting Right," and "Justifying Comparative Tolerability or Normality."
The first rationalization, "Perpetrate for Greater Cause," suggests that individuals may abandon social norms to support a group they identify with. They often claim their actions are for the greater good, such as enhancing shareholder value or supporting a superior. This mindset can lead to significant ethical breaches, particularly among senior executives who may feel justified in their actions due to perceived benefits to the organization or society.
"Justifying Wrong by Doing Right" indicates that some individuals maintain a "behavioral balance sheet," where they weigh their unethical actions against their good deeds. This rationalization can diminish feelings of guilt and is frequently observed among executives involved in philanthropy, who may overlook their misconduct by focusing on their charitable contributions.
The "Asserting Right" rationalization involves individuals believing they deserve certain privileges, leading them to justify unethical means to achieve their goals. This mindset is common in cases of employee theft or public corruption, where individuals feel entitled to act unethically.
Lastly, "Justifying Comparative Tolerability or Normality" allows individuals to alleviate guilt by comparing their actions to those of others. This rationalization is particularly prevalent in environments where unethical behavior is normalized, such as in accounting or trading fraud.
These rationalizations create a dangerous environment where unethical actions are not only excused, but also rationalized, posing significant risks to organizational integrity.
This slide is part of the Corporate Compliance: Ending Unethical Behavior PowerPoint presentation.
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