Final answer:
Authority and bureaucracy impact ethical decision-making by prioritizing impersonality and a strict hierarchy, which can sometimes overshadow individual ethical considerations. Ethical actions within bureaucracies may be hindered by the pressure to conform to authority and the difficult position of whistleblowers. Additionally, the meritocratic intentions of bureaucracies can fail to address existing power imbalances, affecting whose merit is recognized and valued.
Step-by-step explanation:
The situational factor of authority and bureaucracy affects ethical decision-making in numerous ways. In a bureaucratic structure, impersonality is often a key characteristic, intended to eliminate personal biases such as nepotism and favoritism. However, this impersonality means that individual circumstances are often overlooked, and ethical considerations may be sacrificed for efficiency and adherence to rules.
Within bureaucracies, there is also a strong hierarchy of authority, which can impact ethical decisions as employees may feel obligated to follow orders from superiors rather than act on their own ethical judgments. This can lead to a lack of responsiveness to ethical dilemmas, particularly if whistleblowing could result in personal or professional repercussions.
Moreover, while bureaucracies are designed to be meritocratic, the systems in place can still perpetuate existing power imbalances, making it challenging for diversity and equity to be recognized and valued within the organization. All these factors can create a complex environment where making the ethically right decision is not straightforward and is heavily influenced by the established bureaucracy.