Ethical Decision-making Model Research Articles

Ethical Decision-Making for Self-Driving Vehicles: A Proposed Model & List of Value-Laden Terms that Warrant (Technical) Specification

Self-driving vehicles (SDVs) will need to make decisions that carry ethical dimensions and are of normative significance. For example, by choosing a specific trajectory, they determine how risks are distributed among traffic participants. Accordingly, policymakers, standardization organizations and scholars have conceptualized what (shall) constitute(s) ethical decision-making for SDVs. Eventually, these conceptualizations must be converted into specific system requirements to ensure proper technical implementation. Therefore, this article aims to translate critical requirements recently formulated in scholarly work, existing standards, regulatory drafts and guidelines into an explicit five-step ethical decision model for SDVs during hazardous situations. This model states a precise sequence of steps, indicates the guiding ethical principles that inform each step and points out a list of terms that demand further investigation and technical specification. By integrating ethical, legal and engineering considerations, we aim to contribute to the scholarly debate on computational ethics (particularly in autonomous driving) while offering practitioners in the automotive sector a decision-making process for SDVs that is technically viable, legally permissible, ethically grounded and adaptable to societal values. In the future, assessing the actual impact, effectiveness and admissibility of implementing the here sketched theories, terms and the overall decision process requires an empirical evaluation and testing of the overall decision-making model.

Overview of Ethical Reasoning in Nursing: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Nurses are anticipated to address diverse human needs, leading to the emergence of numerous ethical challenges in their daily practice. Contemporary nursing requires proficiency not only in advanced medical-technical skills but also competence in focusing on the ethical dimensions, including ethical reasoning and decision-making, inherent in-patient care. Negotiating the ethical intricacies of treatment in practical scenarios presents a significant challenge for nurses. Despite the complexity, ongoing review and improvement are necessary to uphold professional standards and prioritize patient well-being.Aim: The objective of this scoping review is to describe the landscape of nurses' ethical reasoning and the process of ethical reasoning in nursing practice.Methods: A scoping review was conducted based on the Arksey and O'Malley framework, spanning publications released from 1990 to 2023, utilizing electronic databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and CINAHL. Diverse keywords were employed to optimize the search strategy. The review process encompassed examining 21 finalized articles selected using the PRISMA guideline, comprising qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies.Findings: This review identified two main domains: Factors for ethical reasoning in nursing and the ethical frameworks utilized. Nurses employ individual-related and profession-related factors to navigate ethical reasoning. Ethical frameworks, including principle-based approaches, ethical decision-making models, ethical theories; deontology, and utilitarianism, provide structured methods for ethical reasoning.Conclusions: The scoping review highlights the importance of ethical reasoning and frameworks in nursing, identifying key approaches, principle-based methods, and ethical decision-making models. It underscores the need for practical application and integration of ethical reasoning education in nursing to enhance quality patient care and decision-making.

Models of Ethical Decision Making in the Field of Healthcare Services – A Literature Review

Models of Ethical Decision Making in the Field of Healthcare Services – A Literature Review

The push and pull between culture and integrity in the workplace: an ethical decision-making context

Purpose Multinational corporations encounter numerous challenges in making ethical decisions as they navigate diverse factors in every country where they conduct business. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no research has been committed to investigating the effects of one’s cultural perspectives and moral virtue. Building on a theoretical foundation recently laid out in the literature (i.e. the culture-influenced value-specific model), this study aims to investigate the relationship between components of national culture (i.e. power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity) and the moral virtue of integrity. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a quantitative analysis methodology conducted among 160 US-based workers to test a direct effect model of the relationship between national culture and integrity. The hypothesized relationships are examined using linear regression. Additional analysis includes reliability and representativeness analyses. Findings Direct effects support the hypotheses that a worker’s cultural perspectives affect integrity. Specifically, this study found that a worker’s cultural aspects of power distance, individualism and masculinity are negatively and significantly related to an individual’s level of integrity. Additionally, an individual’s level of uncertainty avoidance is positively related to integrity. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature and practice by demonstrating how the culture in which one resides has an impact on the level of integrity one holds and potentially exhibits in the workplace. These findings are significant in that they are among the first to consider culture and moral virtue in an ethical decision-making model. Furthermore, these findings open an additional pathway for research concerning ethical behavior in the workplace.

The Influence of Crucibles of Experience in Moral Development & Psychology of Public Relations Exemplars

ABSTRACT This study conducted life story interviews with 40 members of the PRSA College of Fellows to examine the influence of crucibles (i.e. trials, challenges or growth opportunities) in the moral development and psychology of public relations exemplars. The outcomes were the development of an illustration of their moral and leader development journey drawing on Rest’s four-component model of ethical decision making, and a moral psychology profile of the key characteristics of public relations exemplars. The profile that emerged is that of leaders who exemplify moral courage, resilience, generosity, genuine care about others and are willing to listen and learn. When they faced trials, they emerged stronger and stayed true to their values and character.

A Comprehensive Approach to Water Literacy in the Context of Climate Change

Anthropogenic climate change is impacting human survival through its impact upon water quality and availability. An urgent ethical imperative is thus raised for education policy makers and schools, particularly in the Australian and Asia Pacific regions, to adopt a curriculum to help students mitigate and adapt to the dire consequences caused by a warming planet. Through a blue transdisciplinary school curriculum, students will better understand and respond to the broader aspects of what is referred to as the hydrosocial cycle. A school move towards a blue curriculum requires educational policy to mandate an emphasis on the climate change effects upon the water cycle. An effective shift to a blue curriculum also requires that teachers’ ethical perspectives and sensitivities are sharpened through their tertiary education courses. This is needed so they develop confidence and pedagogy for teaching anthropogenic climate change generally, something still missing from Australian and other classrooms around the world, and, more specifically, for teaching the hydrosocial cycle. The Four Component Model of Ethical Decision Making is offered as a useful framework to guide teachers in examining their values and motivations when teaching potentially confronting topics such as the impacts of climate change upon the hydrosocial cycle.

Ethical banking behavior among millennials and Gen-Z in Malaysia

PurposeThis study aims to determine the factors that influence ethical banking behavior among millennials and Gen-Z in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachA stratified sample of 525 millennials and Gen-Z of Malaysian banking customers was used. Extended ethical decision-making (EDM) model was tested using partial least square-structural equation model for the analysis.FindingsThe findings indicated that the engagement of millennials and Gen-Z in ethical banking is influenced by factors such as intention, judgment and awareness, which shaped both generations’ ethical banking behavior.Practical implicationsThis study could be a central reference point and assist banking institutions in understanding the preferences of millennials and Gen-Z.Originality/valueThis study extends the previous EDM model that focused solely on consumer's belief systems. Three aspects differentiate this paper and contribute to its originality, namely, the uniqueness of millennials and Gen-Z behavior, incorporating new variables along with the EDM models and study in Malaysian context.

Ethical and Psychological Considerations for Posthumous-Assisted Reproduction for Adolescents and Young Adults With Poor Cancer Prognosis in the Context of Grief.

Families or loved ones of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with a poor cancer prognosis who preserved fertility and did not survive treatment may choose to pursue posthumous assisted reproduction (PAR; i.e., use of preserved reproductive material for future family-building attempts). Decisions about PAR may be occurring in the context of grief and bereavement, which is associated with ethical and psychological considerations because grief can complicate a person's capacity for informed decision-making. Through the use of a five-step ethical decision-making model, the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, and a blended case example, the ethical and psychological considerations for families of AYA with poor prognosis who pursue PAR is discussed with an ethical analysis. Ethical and psychological considerations included assessing the potential for harm to involved parties, navigating PAR decision-making with responsibility and honesty, examining the accessibility of PAR, and considering informed consent/assent and autonomy. Clinical recommendations for supporting families and loved ones exploring PAR in the context of grief were discussed, with considerations for improving clinicians' comfort and competence with PAR, incorporating grief into informed consent conversations, standardizing conversations about PAR, and promoting an interdisciplinary approach to PAR-related decisions.

Ethical Analysis of Amazon’s ‘Legal’ Tax Avoidance

This paper gives an overview of the ethical consequences of Amazon’s strategic tax avoidance, exploring its multifaceted impacts on society, economy and environment. Through a meticulous PESTEL analysis and the application of a comprehensive 7-step ethical decision model, the paper highlights that Amazon makes the most of legal loopholes to minimize tax obligations. It argues for the necessity of measures aimed at enhancing fairness, transparency, and ethical obligations in corporate tax practices, emphasizing the imperative for Amazon to integrate social responsibility and sustainable development. This analysis advocates for combined efforts between corporations, governments and communities to address and optimize current unethical tax practices.

Exploring the determinants of (un)ethical decision-making among accountants using PLS-SEM: a developing country context

PurposeThis study aims to examine the determinants of ethical decision-making (EDM) of professional accountants in Sri Lanka, drawing on Rest’s (1986) four-component EDM model. The level of corporate collapses and fraud, coupled with the high level of corruption in Sri Lanka, has highlighted the importance and the timely nature of this research in the EDM processes of Sri Lankan accountants.Design/methodology/approachData was collected from a sample of 315 accountants through a questionnaire survey that included four written ethical vignettes and was analysed using partial least square-structural equation modelling techniques.FindingsThe findings revealed a significant relationship between ethical awareness and ethical judgement, providing support for Rest’s model. However, the study does not support Rest’s model on the direct relationship between ethical judgement and ethical intention. Intrinsic religiosity and moral intensity significantly influenced the ethical awareness of accountants. Several determinants including accountants’ age, education, intrinsic religiosity, organisational ethical culture, familiarity with the professional ethical code and moral intensity influenced ethical judgement. However, the findings did not report any significant relationships between the study’s variables and ethical intention.Originality/valueThe study adds to the existing literature by providing a bigger picture of how various determinants work together in one EDM model and demonstrating that the EDM of accountants is multifaceted. The new finding on an insignificant relationship between ethical judgement and ethical intention implies that the Rest’s EDM process may be mediated and moderated by other constraints blocking accountants’ intention to act due to various pressures in a corrupt society, Sri Lanka, where accountants operate.

Ethical decision-making in East Africa: predictors of whistleblowing intention

PurposeThis paper aims to understand employees’ propensity to blow the whistle in two East African countries. This study develops a model of ethical decision-making (EDM) to assist management in predicting the probability of whistleblowing in Kenya and Uganda. It also seeks to find the moderating effect of perceived retaliation on whistleblowing intention.Design/methodology/approachThis study administers a standardized questionnaire to employees in Kenya and Uganda to measure their perceptions about whistleblowing in their organizations. This study uses partial least square structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses. This study uses four constructs, namely, awareness, judgment, retaliation and likelihood, of blowing the whistle. These constructs are measured with multiple-item scales.FindingsThe results show that ethical awareness and judgment significantly increase willingness to engage in whistleblowing in East Africa. However, this study does not find a significant retaliation effect on whistleblowing intention. Instead, this study finds that awareness and judgment mediate between retaliation and willingness to engage in whistleblowing.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to EDM topics. It advances the understanding of the whistleblowing concept, the retaliation effect and the reasons to encourage blowing the whistle in Africa. However, this study did not consider cultural factors, such as nationality, patriotism and ethnicity. Moreover, the results are only based on data from Uganda and Kenya and may not apply to other sub-Saharan nations.Practical implicationsThese findings are particularly significant for managers and policymakers in East Africa, where fear of retaliation and lack of awareness are the main barriers to whistleblowing. The results may help managers develop human resource practices to include policies to support moral behavior. It may also provide insights to the policymakers to understand the factors that facilitate whistleblowing practices and help them to adopt new strategies or policies to stimulate whistleblowing culture.Originality/valueThis study is one of the initial empirical studies in the East Africa context to explore the EDM predictors and the impact of retaliation on the whistleblowing intention.

A perspective on the whistleblowing intention of internal auditors: an integrated ethical decision-making model

A perspective on the whistleblowing intention of internal auditors: an integrated ethical decision-making model

Supporting Ethical Decision-Making for Lethal Autonomous Weapons

ABSTRACT This article describes a new and innovative methodology for calibrating trust in ethical actions by Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS). For the foreseeable future, LAWS will require human operators for mission planning, decision-making, and supervisory control; yet humans lack the cognitive bandwidth and processing speed to make prompt, real-time ethical decisions. As a result, trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be required to support ethical decision-making. We use a Bayesian ethical decision model for: (1) human setting of ethical preferences and thresholds in accordance with Laws of War and tactical criteria; and (2) highlighting the factors that contribute to strike/no-strike recommendations for human evaluation. The model can perform an ethical analysis, provide a quantitative ethical strike/no-strike score, and recommend actions to reduce decision uncertainty. In this article, we describe successful initial evaluation trials of the Bayesian model and of a human interface for interaction with the model. Our Bayesian ethical decision model has an immediate application in wargames; the model can also be used to train operators in understanding the principles and key factors relevant to ethical decision-making; and it may eventually be used in actual military operations employing LAWS.

Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in High-Stakes Resource Allocation

The allocation of scarce resources in healthcare, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, presents complex ethical dilemmas. This study aims to explore these dilemmas through the perspectives of healthcare professionals, policymakers, and ethics experts to better understand the underlying principles and challenges that influence ethical decision-making in high-stakes resource allocation. This qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, including healthcare professionals, policymakers, and ethics experts involved in resource allocation. Data were collected until theoretical saturation was achieved and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and concepts related to ethical dilemmas in resource allocation. Four main themes were identified: Justice and Fairness, Stakeholder Perspectives, Resource Constraints, and Ethical Decision-Making Models. Each theme encompassed various categories with specific concepts: Equity in Access, Prioritization Principles, Transparency, Decision-Maker Challenges, Ethical Conflict Resolution, Patient and Public Involvement, Allocation Efficiency, Sustainability, Framework Utilization, Adaptation and Flexibility, Dilemma Specificity, and Implementation Challenges. These themes highlight the complexity of ethical decision-making and the variety of factors that must be considered. The study reveals that ethical decision-making in resource allocation is influenced by a complex interplay of fairness, stakeholder perspectives, resource limitations, and the application of various ethical frameworks. It underscores the need for adaptable, transparent, and inclusive policies that can address the nuanced challenges posed by crises in healthcare settings.

An Exploration of the Integration of Marx’s Philosophical Thought and Modern Ethical Decision-Making Models for Artificial Intelligence

Abstract Artificial Intelligence is involved in more and more fields, and the debate of whether human beings will be replaced by it is more and more intense. This paper explores the paradigm of ethical decision-making of artificial intelligence from the perspective of Marx’s philosophical thought. Based on the basic elements of ethical decision-making, three decision-making methods are proposed to complete the judgment of decision-making consequences, and the calculation formula for the consequences of these methods is derived. Using the Bayesian learning method, a utility-maximizing agent effect function is constructed to implement the moral embedding policy. Measure the ethical fairness of decision-making algorithms based on statistical fairness orientation to propose fair decision-making methods. Through the example analysis, the practical application effect of the model is analyzed from two perspectives: public policy implementation and education. More than 40% of the users are more satisfied with the public policy implementation made by AI, and they are relatively satisfied with the implementation of AI governance policy at this stage, but there is still room for improvement. There is a difference in the cognition of students of education-related majors and computer science majors on the ethics of identity intelligence, and education majors pay more attention to the educational level and social virtue issues, such as educational sovereignty, educational purpose, educational value, educational evaluation, educational fairness, as well as the development of students, and integrity issues.

Restoration of the Nanjing Circumvallation in Sustainable Urban Planning: Application of Environmental Ethical Decision-Making Model

The Nanjing Circumvallation has been severely damaged due to natural factors, human interference, and urban expansion. Restoring this edifice serves not only as a preservation of historikcal and cultural values, but also as an advancement towards sustainable urban development. This research proposes an environmental ethical decision-making model (EEDM) grounded in sustainable urban development indicators. The model is then applied to the restoration of the Nanjing Circumvallation. Based on feedback from the research trial section, the renovation of the Circumvallation trial segment, guided by the EEDM, effectively embodies the core principles of sustainable urban development. By extending this model to the entire restoration project, it is feasible to achieve a harmonious balance between heritage preservation and urban sustainability. This methodology offers a novel framework for the restoration of similar heritage sites, ensuring the concurrent achievement of conservation and sustainable development goals. Furthermore, this approach holds considerable promise for fostering sustainable urban progression.

Use of the Transcultural Integrative Ethical Decision-Making Model in the Care of a Rohingya Infant With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Objective:Concerns have been expressed about the challenges of upholding traditional Westernized psychological ethical boundaries while honoring the cultural and religious values of diverse cultures.Method:The Transcultural Integrative Ethical Decision-Making Model was utilized to resolve ethical dilemmas related to a refugee Rohingya family during a pediatric hospitalization.Results:Culturally informed case conceptualization and peer consultation were critical in assisting the decision-making process to balance psychological ethical guidelines and the distinctive needs of the family.Conclusion:The Transcultural Integrative Ethical Decision-Making Model can serve as a guide for psychologists to help make ethical decisions while working with families from diverse cultures that may not share the values associated with a Westernized mental healthcare approach.

Suggestions for Ethical Decision-Making Model through Collaboration between Human and AI

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore and propose a model that allows humans and AI to collaborate in the process of making decisions about ethical issues. Due to AI's autonomy and mission performance capabilities, AI is sometimes viewed as an agent competing with humans. However, since the autonomy and mission performance capabilities of AI are applied at very diverse levels and areas, it is necessary to set certain categories and review their application. This study sought to reveal that more valid decisions can be made by collaborating between humans and AI in the category of ethical decision-making.
 Method: This study uses methods of literature research and development research. First, using literature research to review various previous studies to understand the autonomy of AI in the relationship between humans and AI. Next, analyzing the meaning and characteristics of ethical judgment. Next, looking at a series of models that explain decision making. Second, using development research methods, for design and propose a model in which humans and AI appropriately collaborate in the process of making ethical decisions.
 Results: The results of this study reveal the following points. First, the results of ethical decision-making by humans and AI involve greater responsibility and related issues than the results of general decision-making. Second, in order to solve these problems, it is necessary to utilize collective intelligence through collective decision-making and at the same time distribute responsibility. Third, as a public and collective entity functioning as a committee, humans become the subjects of final judgment and responsibility, and AI must play a role in actively and functionally assisting such judgment. Fourth, this decision-making process needs to be presented in the form of a model as a principle that can be applied to various specific cases.
 Conclusion: The conclusion of this study suggests that effective and valid ethical decisions can be made through collaboration between humans and AI in the ethical communication process. And based on this, we present a collaboration model between humans and AI. This model consists of the following steps: First, AI should be actively involved in the process of exploring data sources, collecting data, storing data, and refining and analyzing data for ethical decisions. Second, ethical decisions based on this are made by a human community in the form of a committee as a group thinking process. Third, allow humans and AI to evaluate and exchange opinions on the results of these ethical judgments through mutual feedback and collaboration.

Impact of Teaching Accounting Ethics on the Ethical Decision-Making of Future Managers

This study aims to emphasize the necessity of dealing with cognitive moral development from the undergraduate level and contribute to the literature by testing two major ethical decision-making models considering perceived overall harm and perceived social pressure concepts that emerge from the literature with a combined approach. For this purpose, the ethical decision-making processes (Rest Model) and moral intensity components (Jones Model) are used to better understand individual factors as well as a standalone ethics course impact on the moral sensitivity and ethical decision-making process. So, the ethical differences between business undergraduate students who took the accounting ethics course, undergraduate students, and MBA students who did not take this course are compared. To do the research, the participants responded to scenario-based questions where an accounting officer is forced to capitalize expenses fraudulently. The analysis is realized using T-test, One-Way Anova and Two-Way Manova tests to shed light on the interaction and the differences between groups. Generation, work experience, and gender are other individual factors used for cross-group comparison. Overall, all hypotheses of the research are partially accepted. The results highlight that the students who do not take the ethics course are significantly negatively different from the MBA students and the students who take the ethics course in terms of overall harm. Other findings conclude that a student who has taken an ethics course is as aware of ethical decision-making processes and moral sensitivity as someone in professional life. Keywords: Accounting Ethics Course; Ethical Decision-Making; Moral Intensity; Individual Factors

An examination of the link between job content plateau and knowledge hiding from a moral perspective: The mediating role of distrust and perceived exploitation

This research aims to address the research question of how knowledge hiding occurs from an ethical lens. Drawing on an integrated ethical decision-making model, we identified job content plateau as an important personally threatening situation that predicts knowledge hiding. We also proposed that attribution of blame—a specific mechanism of moral disengagement—explains how employees experiencing a high job content plateau bypass their moral self-regulation to engage in knowledge hiding. More specifically, employees can cognitively reconstruct themselves as faultless victims who are driven to hide their knowledge because they perceive: (a) their colleagues cannot be trusted; and (b) the knowledge-exchange process in the organization is exploitative. We tested this dual-path mediation model using time-lagged data collected from 301 working adults across three time points. The results supported the mediating roles of perceived distrust in colleagues and perceived exploitation in the organization's knowledge-exchange process, opening the door for future research to better understand knowledge hiding from a moral perspective.