Three Factors That Influence Ethical Decision Making

There are three important factors that can influence ethical decision making, which are individual, organizational, and opportunity factors. All three of these factors can weigh heavily on a person during the decision making process, especially in the work place. Many people look to friends or associates for guidance when making questionable decisions. Sometimes a person may make a decision based on the opportunity they are put into. Some people make decisions based on their own moral beliefs and the way they were raised. No matter how a person comes to make a decision, there are usually three factors that influence a person’s ethical decision making process. The first factor in the ethical decision making process is called the individual …show more content…
Ferrell, & L. Ferrell, 2011, p. 185). The next factor is the organizational factor. The organizational factor can be defined as a set of values or norms that is shared by members or employees of an organization (Thorne, O. Ferrell, & L. Ferrell, 2011, p. 190). The last factor is the opportunity factor. This can be defined as a situation that encourages or discourages a person (Thorne, O. Ferrell, & L. Ferrell, 2011, p. 193). Individual factors can affect a person greatly when making ethical or unethical decisions. Every person will have a slightly different belief when it comes to individual factors. It is always best to talk with an employee or consult the code of ethics before making individual decisions. Organizational factors can affect decision making if all of the employees or associates have negative views and make unethical decisions. Organizational factors can be affected by the people closest to the decision maker. If the organization and all of the employees believe in a code of ethics, then most likely the decision will be ethical. Opportunity factors are based on whether there are opportunities to make ethical or unethical decisions. If the company promotes the do whatever it takes motto, then