Sanjaya was recently hired at an up-and-coming firm that has a history of ethics violations. Which action is best for him to take if he wants to determine whether the firm is now acting ethically?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Some people believe that unethical behavior is limited to a few "bad apples" in organizations. However, research indicates that it is not just the few "bad apples" but entire organizations that can create a climate in which unethical, even illegal behavior is tolerated. While there clearly are some people with unethical or even criminal inclinations, in general one's ethical decision-making capacity depends very much on the organizational context. Research shows that if people work in organizations that expect and value ethical behavior, they are more likely to act ethically. The opposite is also true. Enron's stated key values included respect and integrity, and its mission statement proclaimed that all business dealings should be open and fair. Yet, the ethos at Enron was all about creating an inflated share price at any cost, and its employees observed and followed the behavior set by their leaders.

Sanjaya Was Recently Hired at an Up-And-Coming Firm That Has