Introduction to the Concepts of

Ethics and Social Responsibility

HDB 2153 (U3)
 To recognize and apply the fundamental principles
of ethics and social responsibility within an
organizational context in a global environment.

To expose students to common workplace ethical

issues in a competitive business environment.
 To recognize ethics and social responsibility as
fundamental concepts and discuss their importance
in the conduct of human life.

To relate ethics, management and social

responsibility within a global environment.

To develop critical thinking skills to resolve ethical

issues at the workplace.

To apply the principles, objectives and practice of

ethics and social responsibility at work.
 Ethics can be described
as a set of principles that
contains behavioural
codes to determine what
is right or wrong.
It also outlines the moral
duty and obligations that
any human being should
practice.
(Khalidah et al., 2012)
Social Responsibility is a
broader concept of ethics,
concerned with the impact of
an organizations activities
on society.
It is the obligation a business
to maximize its positive
impact and minimize its
negative impact on society,
being a main element of the
community.
(Khalidah et al., 2015)
Conceptualizing Ethics and
Its Importance
HDB 2153 (U3)
 At the end of this lecture, students will be able to:

1) outline the importance of ethics in life.

2) identify the universally accepted good

and bad values.

3) elaborate on PETRONAS shared values and brand

essence.
 We often ask ourselves some questions:
How should I live my life?
What sort of person should I strive to be?
What values are important for me in life?
What standards or principles should I live by?

Exploring these issues immerses one in the study

of right and wrong or moral reasoning.
It leads one to the study of ethics.
What is ethics?
Ethics can be described as a set of principles
that contains behavioural codes to determine
what is right or wrong.

It also outlines the moral duty and obligations

that any human being should practice.

(Khalidah et al., 2012)

 Other Definitions of Ethics
There are many formal definitions of ethics. To mention a few,
Stanwick and Stanwick define ethics as the values an individual
uses to interpret whether any particular action or behaviour is
considered acceptable and appropriate.

Velasquez (2012) and Nickels (2008) regard it as a discipline that

examines ones moral behaviour or the moral standards of a
society.

According to Abdullah and Zainal Abidin (2011), ethics concerns

itself with what is good or right in human interaction. It revolves
around three central concepts: self, good, and other.

Ethics is also defined as a critical analysis of human acts to

determine their rightness or wrongness in terms of two major
criteria: truth and justice (Mauro et al., 1999).
 Ethics deals with individual character and the
moral values that govern and limit our
conduct.

It begins with each one of us.

It investigates questions of right and wrong,

duty and obligation, and moral responsibility.
(William H. Shaw)
Is there a difference between Ethics
and Morality?
 More often, morality is used interchangeably with the term ethics.

However, many scholars proposed clear differences between the two

terms to clear arguments.

Morality is concerned with the norms, values and beliefs embedded in

social processes which define right or wrong for an individual or a
community ( Shaw, 2008).

Ethics ,on the other hand are concerned with the study of morality and
the application of reason to elucidate specific rules and principles that
determine right or wrong for a given situation ( Crane and Matten,
2007).

These rules are called ethical theories (Crane and Matten, 2007).
 According to Shaw (2008), rationally, we learn and adapt to
the ethics and moral principles through our :
- upbringing
- socialization (i.e. the behaviour around those around
us)
- experiences and our critical reflections on those
experiences (self reflection)
- the explicit and implicit standards of our culture

We also learn ethics from religious teachings. All religion

provides its believers with a strong composition of conduct,
part of which involves moral instructions, values and
commitments.
 For example, the Islamic term corresponding to the
concept of ethics, though different scope and
nature is ilm al-akhlaq.

Al-Akhlaq is derived from the root word khuluq,

which means to create, to shape and to give form.

Accordingly, ilm al- Akhlaq, as a branch of

knowledge is a science which deals with the ways
to maintain virtues at their optimum level, i.e. to
avoid wrongdoing and to do what is right and
desirable ( McDonough, 1984)
 Religion is one of the factors influencing an
individuals ethical values.

Most religions embody the idea of a

Transcendent Reality which has some bearing
on the purpose and meaning of life, how one
lives on earth, and what lies beyond this finite
mortal existence (Chandra Muzaffar, 2009).
 Most religions have an ethical component.
The Golden Rule of Life, do to others what
you want others to do to you is found in all
religions. Unfortunately, the international
community has yet to recognize and
appreciate the significance of this rule
(Chandra Muzaffar, 2005, p.2).
 In fact, according to Simon Blackburn in his
book, Ethics: A Very Short Introduction: For
many people, ethics is not only tied up with
religion, but is completely settled by it.
Such people do not think too much about
ethics, because there is an authoritative
code of instructions, a handbook of how to
live (Blackburn, 2001, p 9).
 Right
Right Views Concentratio
or Right n or Mind
Preliminary
Acts Developmen
Understandin Right t
g Effort

Right
Right Right Samadhi,
Aims Speech Right leading to
or full
Livelihoo
Motive Enlightenme
d nt
s
 Malaysias Rukun
Negara/ National Belief in God
Principles directly state
the belief in God as a
doctrine to be followed Supremacy of
by all Malaysians, Loyalty to King
the
irrespective of religious and Country
Constitution
and cultural differences.
Good
The Rule of Behaviour and
Law Morality
 Ethics is above the law. Ethical behaviour requires more than
having to comply with policies, laws, rules and regulations.

Ethical behaviour therefore rests upon ones full conscience and

accountability to do good deeds as a social responsibility under
all circumstances (Khalidah et al., 2012).

But how do we then develop ones full conscience, commitment

and accountability to do good deeds as a social responsibility
under all circumstances?

This issue is largely debated as it involves religion as one factor

that influences ethical values.
 There are apparent differences on how the West and East perceive
ethics.

The West has somewhat compromised religion as a factor

influencing ethics in support of secularism and universalism. The
East still sees religion as an important contributing factor to shape
ones ethical values.

The West has placed emphasis on secularism and universalism as

ideologies to shape not only individual ethical values but to
construct the state. These form the foundation of human rights,
freedom of thought and rational thinking of the West.

In resolving ethical issues, the East has been seen to fall back more
on religious and cultural principles, much as the East respects the
liberal/universalistic views of the West. Man-made ethical theories
and principles which are practically based on rational thinking and
objectivity seem to be applied more by the West compared to the
East.
Good Values Bad Values

Compassion Cheating

Courage Cowardice
Honesty Cruelty
Integrity Deceit
Respect for human life Greed
Self-control Lying

Selfishness
 Ability Being dependable and competent
Acceptance - Making the best of a bad situation
Amiability- Fostering agreeable social contexts
Articulateness Ability to make and defend ones case
Attentiveness- Listening and understanding
Autonomy Having a personal identity
Caring Worrying about the well-being of others
Charisma- Inspiring others
Compassion- Sympathetic
Cool headedness - Retaining control and reasonableness in heated
situations
Courage- Doing the right thing despite the cost
Determination Seeing a task through to completion
Fairness- Giving others their due, creating harmony
 Generosity- Sharing, enhancing others well-being
Graciousness- Establishing a congenial environment
Gratitude Giving proper credit
Heroism- Doing the right thing despite the consequences
Honesty- Telling the truth, not lying
Humility Giving proper credit
Humour- Bringing relief, making the world better
Independence- getting things done despite bureaucracy
Integrity- Being a model of trustworthiness
Justice treating others fairly
Loyalty Working for the well being of an organization
Pride- Being admired by others
Prudence- Minimizing company and personal losses
Responsibility- Doing what it takes to do the right thing
Shame (capable of) Regaining acceptance after wrong behaviour
Trust Dependable
Spirit Appreciating a larger picture in situations
Saintliness- Approaching the ideal in behaviour
Toughness- Maintaining ones position
Trustworthiness- Fulfilling ones responsibilities
Wittiness- Lightening the conversation when warranted
Zeal Getting the job done right; enthusiasm
Reference : Jennings, Marianne M, page 8)
 Being upright and honest.

Integrity relates to honesty and goodness, wholeness and unity

(Oxford Dictionary)
A person of integrity upholds ethical principles.

Dr. Danial Zainal Abidin, in his public lecture to UTP students in

July,2008 said Integrity in Islam is Taqwa.

Taqwa is a comprehensive word found in the Quran that carries the

meaning of fear (God consciousness), respect, and reverence for God.

Liguistically, Taqwa means protection or shield from what is harmful.

An individual with Taqwa will sincerely obey the rules of Allah and be
grateful to Him.
 A person of integrity will consistently consider his dignity, image and
reputation before undertaking an action and always strives to do good deeds.

Donald Zauderer listed thirteen (13) specific behaviours that can help identify
the level of integrity in individual actions (Stanwick and Stanwick, 2009).
- possess humility
- maintain the ability to be concerned about the greater good
- be truthful
- fulfill commitments
- strive for fairness
- take responsibility
- have respect for individual
- celebrate the good fortune of others
- develop others
- reproach unjust acts
- be forgiving
- extend self to others
 The ability to control human behaviour or
desires through the exertion of will.

Ones ability to remain calm and not show his

emotions by being impulsive, angry or over-
reactive when faced with a conflict, crisis or
unfavourable situation.

A self-controlled person is normally emotionally

stable and patient when handling a problem.
 It is doing the right thing despite the cost. It is the ability to
face danger, pain etc without showing fear.

According to Aristotle, it is the virtue of responding to fear

with a reasonable amount of daring (Boatright, 2007).

A courageous person is usually someone with good drive,

confident and possesses a high sense of achievement and
motivation.

A courageous person will also not hesitate to respond to

unfavourable situations when he sees injustice happening
around him.

He is forward looking and accepts change as part and parcel

of his life.