Blind spots why we fail to do what's right and what to do about it /

When confronted with an ethical dilemma, most of us like to think we would stand up for our principles. But we are not as ethical as we think we are. In this book the authors, both leading business ethicists examine the ways we overestimate our ability to do what is right and how we act unethically...

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Main Author: Bazerman, Max H.
Other Authors: Tenbrunsel, Ann E.
Format: Book
Language: English
Published: Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, [2011]
Physical Description: x, 191 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
Subjects:
Online Access: Additional Information at Google Books
Summary: When confronted with an ethical dilemma, most of us like to think we would stand up for our principles. But we are not as ethical as we think we are. In this book the authors, both leading business ethicists examine the ways we overestimate our ability to do what is right and how we act unethically without meaning to. From the collapse of Enron and corruption in the tobacco industry, to sales of the defective Ford Pinto and the downfall of Bernard Madoff, the authors investigate the nature of ethical failures in the business world and beyond, and illustrate how we can become more ethical, bridging the gap between who we are and who we want to be. Explaining why traditional approaches to ethics don't work, the book considers how blind spots like ethical fading, the removal of ethics from the decision making process, have led to tragedies and scandals such as the Challenger space shuttle disaster, steroid use in Major League Baseball, the crash in the financial markets, and the energy crisis. The authors demonstrate how ethical standards shift, how we neglect to notice and act on the unethical behavior of others, and how compliance initiatives can actually promote unethical behavior. Distinguishing our "should self" (the person who knows what is correct) from our "want self" (the person who ends up making decisions), the authors point out ethical sinkholes that create questionable actions. Suggesting innovative individual and group tactics for improving human judgment, the book shows how to secure a place for ethics in workplaces, institutions, and daily lives.
Item Description: Includes bibliographical references and index.
The gap between intended and actual ethical behavior -- Why traditional approaches to ethics won't save you -- When we act against our own ethical values -- Why you aren't as ethical as you think you are -- When we ignore unethical behavior -- Placing false hope in the "ethical organization" -- Why we fail to fix our corrupted institutions -- Narrowing the gap: interventions for improving ethical behavior.
When confronted with an ethical dilemma, most of us like to think we would stand up for our principles. But we are not as ethical as we think we are. In this book the authors, both leading business ethicists examine the ways we overestimate our ability to do what is right and how we act unethically without meaning to. From the collapse of Enron and corruption in the tobacco industry, to sales of the defective Ford Pinto and the downfall of Bernard Madoff, the authors investigate the nature of ethical failures in the business world and beyond, and illustrate how we can become more ethical, bridging the gap between who we are and who we want to be. Explaining why traditional approaches to ethics don't work, the book considers how blind spots like ethical fading, the removal of ethics from the decision making process, have led to tragedies and scandals such as the Challenger space shuttle disaster, steroid use in Major League Baseball, the crash in the financial markets, and the energy crisis. The authors demonstrate how ethical standards shift, how we neglect to notice and act on the unethical behavior of others, and how compliance initiatives can actually promote unethical behavior. Distinguishing our "should self" (the person who knows what is correct) from our "want self" (the person who ends up making decisions), the authors point out ethical sinkholes that create questionable actions. Suggesting innovative individual and group tactics for improving human judgment, the book shows how to secure a place for ethics in workplaces, institutions, and daily lives.
Physical Description: x, 191 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: 9780691147505
0691147507
9780691156224
0691156220