The purpose of this chapter is to provide managers and employees with ways to internalize ethical behavior in a company. One of the ways to strengthen the effectiveness of management is to give managers the necessary tools that will enable employees of the post-modern age to internalize moral principles and ideas and to understand what is acceptable and what is prohibited. This theory relies on Wolf's (2008, 2013a) claim that man can be trained to be self-aware as the first step toward actual ethical conduct. Her approach is based on the principles of the humanist approach, which maintains that people are endowed with an “ethical sense” and wisdom as well as with the ability to correct their behavior and to choose their own course of action. This chapter utilizes the foundations and principles of this approach to explain what motivates a person to behave morally.
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What the superior person seeks is in themselves. What the average person seeks is in others. - Confucius
Much information exists regarding methods for moral training and education in the field of ethical education and business ethics as well.(Kohlberg & Turiel, 1971; Bull 1969 ; Kidweel, 2001;Bennis, & James, 2005; Budden & Budden, 2011 ;;Falkenberg & Woicoshyn, 2007;Philips & Margolis, 1999 ;Boutmama, 1998 ;McCabe & Trevino, 1993, 1995; Ruitz & Valljos, 1999; Wolf, 2000, 2008, 2013a, 2013b ;Solomon, 1992 Schwarts, 1994) Ethical education is obviously a difficult task, especially because so many complex factors are involved, one of which is the complexity of an individual’s personality. According to Freud, one of the dominant characteristics of man is the urge to destroy (Freud, 1931). If this is the case, then ethical guidance is indeed a challenging undertaking. This chapter offers a new way, based on the Logotherapeutic approach, to guide employees and managers in the direction of ethical behavior.
Managers have been shown many ways to ensure ethical behavior amongst their employees. But ethical behavior, including both moral responsibility and moral principles, is often lacking in the workplace.(Coulomb, 1993; Holinger, 1986; Aidt, 2009, Anokhin & Schlze, 2009, Svenssson, 2005, Gardiner, 2006 ) Managers are troubled by the dishonesty, violations of clear-cut company rules, and unwillingness to comply with ethical codes because such behavior will damage the company's reputation and may even lead to its demise.
Many researchers and pedagogical experts have written on how to train one for ethical maturity. Kohlberg and Turiel (1971) referred to this type of training amongst students and suggested that the method of debate within the framework of the group could accomplish this goal. Nisan (1991, 1966) referred to the feeling of commitment and the ethical identification which must be developed within the individual. A person who views himself as ethical will aspire to act accordingly. The development of ones ethical identity is an important parameter in the building of an ethical personality. Oser, (1996) the Swiss educationist, mentioned “Negative morality”. According to him, one can learn from ethical violations what is right, what is wrong and can show how one should act. Regarding the intensification of business ethics, researchers point out the option of continuing educational programs using tools such as building scenarios. (Budden & Budden, 2011) These programs raise debates about ethical situations and dilemmas which can arise in the work place and in business.