19.1 Ethical decision-making frameworks

Ethical decision-making frameworks guide nonprofits through complex moral dilemmas. These frameworks, including consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, and care ethics, provide different lenses for evaluating ethical choices and their impacts on stakeholders.

Implementing ethical principles in nonprofits involves balancing transparency, accountability, and stakeholder interests. By developing codes of ethics and fostering an ethical culture, organizations can navigate challenges while upholding their mission and values.

Ethical Frameworks

Consequentialist and Deontological Approaches

Top images from around the web for Consequentialist and Deontological Approaches

• 

  Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West – Business Ethics View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Managing a Socially Responsible Business | OpenStax Intro to Business View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The three moral codes of behaviour | Clamor World View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West – Business Ethics View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Managing a Socially Responsible Business | OpenStax Intro to Business View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Consequentialist and Deontological Approaches

• 

  Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West – Business Ethics View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Managing a Socially Responsible Business | OpenStax Intro to Business View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The three moral codes of behaviour | Clamor World View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West – Business Ethics View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Managing a Socially Responsible Business | OpenStax Intro to Business View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on their outcomes and consequences
  • Seeks to maximize overall well-being or happiness for the greatest number of people
  • Considers both short-term and long-term effects of decisions
  • Can justify actions that harm a minority if they benefit the majority (trolley problem)
• Deontology judges the morality of actions based on adherence to rules or duties
  • Emphasizes following moral rules regardless of consequences
  • Kant's Categorical Imperative guides actions by universal principles
  • Focuses on the intrinsic rightness or wrongness of actions themselves

Character-Based and Relational Ethics

• Virtue ethics centers on the moral character of individuals making decisions
  • Identifies virtues (honesty, courage, compassion) as the foundation of ethical behavior
  • Asks "What would a virtuous person do in this situation?"
  • Emphasizes moral education and character development
• Care ethics prioritizes compassion, responsibility, and relationships in decision-making
  • Focuses on context and the web of relationships involved in ethical situations
  • Emphasizes empathy, attentiveness, and responding to others' needs
  • Challenges traditional notions of impartiality in ethical reasoning

Ethical Decision-Making

Analyzing Moral Dilemmas

• Moral reasoning involves systematically evaluating ethical issues to reach justified conclusions
  • Requires identifying relevant ethical principles and stakeholders
  • Involves weighing competing moral claims and potential consequences
  • Utilizes critical thinking skills to examine assumptions and biases
• Ethical dilemmas present situations with conflicting moral obligations or values
  • Often involve trade-offs between different ethical principles (privacy vs. public safety)
  • Can arise from competing loyalties or responsibilities
  • Require careful analysis and judgment to resolve

Stakeholder Considerations

• Stakeholder analysis identifies all parties affected by an ethical decision
  • Includes direct stakeholders (employees, clients) and indirect stakeholders (community, environment)
  • Considers power dynamics and potential conflicts of interest
  • Helps ensure all relevant perspectives are taken into account
• Balancing stakeholder interests forms a key part of ethical decision-making
  • Requires prioritizing competing claims and finding equitable solutions
  • May involve compromise or creative problem-solving to address multiple needs
  • Considers both short-term impacts and long-term consequences for all affected parties

Ethical Principles

Transparency and Accountability

• Transparency promotes openness and clarity in organizational practices and decision-making
  • Involves clear communication of policies, procedures, and rationales
  • Includes financial transparency through accurate reporting and disclosure
  • Builds trust with stakeholders and supports ethical behavior
• Accountability holds individuals and organizations responsible for their actions and decisions
  • Establishes clear lines of responsibility and mechanisms for oversight
  • Includes both internal accountability measures and external reporting
  • Supports learning from mistakes and continuous ethical improvement

Ethical Guidelines and Implementation

• Codes of ethics provide formal guidelines for ethical behavior within organizations
  • Outline core values, ethical principles, and expected conduct
  • Serve as a reference for decision-making and resolving ethical dilemmas
  • Require regular review and updates to address emerging ethical challenges
• Implementation of ethical principles involves integrating them into organizational culture
  • Requires leadership commitment and modeling of ethical behavior
  • Includes ethics training programs and clear reporting mechanisms for violations
  • Establishes systems for ethical risk assessment and management