Ethical decision-making in everyday business decisions

Fenech, Corinne (2024) Ethical decision-making in everyday business decisions. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This thesis draws on and contributes to the literature on ethical decision-making and to the discussion of agency versus structure in institutional theory. It investigates ethical decision-making in ordinary business decisions through the lens of structuration theory. The overarching research aims are to investigate the manifestations of ethical decision-making in organisations, how such decision-making is influenced by agency and structure, and how unethical decision-making can be mitigated in organisations. This qualitative research comprised 24 semi-structured interviews with organisational decision-makers in Malta, selected through heterogeneous purposive sampling. Participants from diverse industries, professions and hierarchy levels were asked about their experiences of ethical decision-making. Data captured through these interviews was analysed and interpreted using open coding. The findings indicate that the micro, meso and macro environment impact decision-making to differing degrees. At a micro level, decisions may be influenced by the individual’s traits, interpersonal relationships and their organisational roles. At the meso level, organisations exert influence, ranging from explicit regulations to implied norms and culture. Although micro-decisions may appear detached from the macroenvironment, they are significantly influenced by societal norms, cultures, and industry practices. The findings also indicate that ethical decisions can be described as varying in terms of awareness of morality and agency. The level of awareness of morality indicates how aware decision-makers are of the ethical dilemma. The level of agency indicates the degree to which decision-makers perceive themselves to be in control of their own decisions. This research makes a theoretical contribution through a framework which describes a dual relationship between structure, modalities, material constraints and decision-makers, as well as the varying degrees of awareness in ethical decision-making. It provides an empirical contribution to descriptive ethics through the lived experiences of ethical decision-making and a practical contribution through recommendations for actions by individuals, organisations, educators, and society.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Supported by funding from Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme (TESS), Malta.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics; H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School
• Funder's Name: Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme (TESS), Malta
• Supervisor's Name: Siebert, Professor Sabina and Anker, Dr. Thomas
• Date of Award: 2024
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2024-84628
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 23 Oct 2024 15:07
• Last Modified: 30 Oct 2024 09:55
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.84628
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/84628