An understanding that individuals’ values differ but tend to reflect the societal values of the period in which they grew up can be a valuable aid in explaning and predicting behavior. Employees in their 60s, for instance, are more likely to accept authority than their coworkers who are 10 or 15 years younger. And workers in their 30s are more likely than their parents to balk at having to work weekends and more prone to leave a job mid-career to pursue another that provides more leisure time.
Values, Loyalty, and Ethical BehaviorHas there been a decline in business ethics? While the issue is debatable, a lot of people think ethical standards, perhaps we should look to our work cohorts model (see Exhibit 3-3) for a possible explanation. After all, mangers consistently report that the action of their bosser is the most important factor influencing ethical and unethical behavior in their organizations. Given this fact, the values of those in middle and upper management should have a significant bearing on the entire ethical climate within an organization.
Has there been a decline in business ethics? While the issue is debatable, a lot of people think ethical standards, perhaps we should look to our work cohorts model (see Exhibit 3-3) for a possible explanation. After all, mangers consistently report that the action of their bosser is the most important factor influencing ethical and unethical behavior in their organizations. Given this fact, the values of those in middle and upper management should have a significant bearing on the entire ethical climate within an organization.