Question

All of the following are true with regards to opportunity and ethical decision making except

a. Despite the existence of rules, misconduct can still occur without proper oversight.
b. The opportunities that employees have for unethical behavior in an organization can be eliminated through formal codes, policies, and rules adequately enforced by management.
c. Opportunity also comes from knowledge.
d. The opportunity for unethical behavior can be eliminated with aggressive enforcement of codes and rules.
e. Opportunity results from conditions that either provide rewards or fail to erect barriers against unethical
behavior.

Answer 1

The opportunities for unethical behavior in an organization cannot be completely eliminated through the enforcement of codes and rules. While they can reduce these opportunities, factors like organizational culture and personal values also play significant roles, and bureaucracies can resist criticism that might help address misconduct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question deals with ethical decision-making within organizations, particularly as it pertains to opportunity for unethical behavior. The one statement about opportunity and ethical decision-making that is not true is that the opportunities for unethical behavior can be completely eliminated through the enforcement of codes and rules.

While codes, policies, and aggressive enforcement can reduce opportunities for unethical actions, they cannot wholly eliminate them due to the complexities of human behavior and the inevitability of oversight limitations. Opportunities for unethical behavior can sprout not just from a lack of rules but also from the environment, organizational culture, and personal values.

It is also mentioned that bureaucracies often resist criticism, which can make it difficult for individuals within to report misconduct, potentially allowing for unethical behavior to persist. The capacity of one or two individuals in drawing attention to unethical practices highlights the role of personal responsibility and action in ethical decision-making.