Appropriate Training Should Turn Ethical Reasoning into Ethical Practice

Alexander T. Jackson; Mathias J. Simmons; Bradley J. Brummel; Aaron C. Entringer

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Appropriate Training Should Turn Ethical Reasoning into Ethical Practice

Alexander T. Jackson

Middle Tennessee State University, USA

Mathias J. Simmons

Kansas State University, USA

Bradley J. Brummel

The University of Tulsa, USA

Aaron C. Entringer

Kansas State University, USA

Volume 13: 2016 pp. 373-392: ABSTRACT

The prevalence of ethics training in organizations rose from 50% in 2003 to 76% in 2011 (Ethics Resource Center 2012). This paper reviews the current state of ethics training in organizations and proposes a new conceptual model for designing effective ethics training programs based on Rest’s (1986) model of ethical decision-making. We argue that it is not the content of ethics training that fails to produce ethical behavior; it is the method by which ethics training is delivered. Most organizations utilize training methods designed to disseminate information or facilitate ethical dilemma recognition. Few organizations utilize methods that allow for trainees to actually practice making an ethical decision. We argue that a comprehensive approach to ethics training should be used, so trainees may practice all aspects of making an ethical decision. This practice should then enhance transfer of ethics training to the job. We conclude with suggestions for how research could be conducted to empirically support these arguments and inform ethics training method choices.