Organizations and responsibility: A critical overview

Abstract

We start from the proposition that organizations' social and environmental policies and practices are influenced as much by stakeholders as by organizational management. Various types of organization-stakeholder relationship are outlined, from market-based (e.g. ethical consumerism) to participative (e.g. consultation and coalition). This organization-stakeholder network constitutes the problematic system of concern. The concept of responsibility and its attribution is critically considered, as is the likelihood of valueconflicts between members of this wider system. The tendency for 'corporate social responsibility' (CSR) to be managed hierarchically within organizations, characterized by an over-reliance on enforced codes of conduct is critiqued on ethical and practical grounds. It is argued that individuals require a capacity for moral judgement in applying codes and, more generally, when resolving conflict and dilemmas within the wider system of organization-stakeholder relations. An appropriate approach from ethical theory is therefore offered. The paper concludes with a summary of aspects of CSR to which the systems discipline could usefully contribute.

The Future of the Planet in the Hands of MBAs: An Examination of CEO MBA Education and Corporate Environmental Performance.

“…From the normative perspective, sustainability ef forts such as CEP are a social responsibility that require the ability to evaluate ethical situations and make moral judgments (Madagan, 2008). Practicing managers acknowledge that many ethical business decisions are not black and white, but instead involve multiple vantage points and require complex judgment calls (Lewicki, 2005).…”

The Future of the Planet in the Hands of MBAs: An Examination of CEO MBA Education and Corporate Environmental Performance

“…In addition, the irrelevance criticism suggests that MBA courses do not provide sufficient knowledge or ability to make business-relevant ethical decisions. From the normative perspective, sustainability ef forts such as CEP are a social responsibility that require the ability to evaluate ethical situations and make moral judgments (Madagan, 2008). Practicing managers acknowledge that many ethical business decisions are not black and white, but instead involve multiple vantage points and require complex judgment calls (Lewicki, 2005).…”

Conflicting obligations, moral dilemmas and the development of judgement through business ethics education

“…Ideally, those likely to be adversely affected by a decision should be made aware of the reasons for a proposed action, which introduces the question of stakeholders' (including employees') participation in a decision or policy (Maclagan , , Burchell & Cook , Morsing & Schultz , Pater & van Lierop ). This adds to the social interactive possibilities where role playing or similar exercises are involved (Brown ) or, indeed, in participation across organisational boundaries in reality (Maclagan ). Here, it is important to encourage the idea that employees, during such decision processes, may critically appraise corporate norms, values and codes (Nielsen , , Sonenshein ).…”