Ethical Practice Research Articles

Ethical risks in robot health education: A qualitative study.

As health education robots may potentially become a significant support force in nursing practice in the future, it is imperative to adhere to the European Union's concept of "Responsible Research and Innovation" (RRI) and deeply reflect on the ethical risks hidden in the process of intelligent robotic health education. This study explores the perceptions of professional nursing professionals regarding the potential ethical risks associated with the clinical practice of intelligent robotic health education. This study adopts a descriptive phenomenological approach, employing Colaizzi's seven-step method for data analysis. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 nursing professionals from tertiary comprehensive hospitals in China. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Provincial Second Chinese Medicine Hospital. Nursing personnel, adhering to the principles of RRI and the concept of "person-centered" care, have critically reflected on the potential ethical risks inherent in robotic health education. This reflection has primarily identified six themes: (a) threats to human dignity, (b) concerns about patient safety, (c) apprehensions about privacy disclosure, (d) worries about implicit burdens, (e) concerns about responsibility attribution, and (f) expectations for social support. This study focuses on health education robots, which are perceived to have minimal ethical risks, and provides rich and detailed insights into the ethical risks associated with robotic health education. Even seemingly safe health education robots elicit significant concerns among professionals regarding their safety and ethics in clinical practice. As we move forward, it is essential to remain attentive to the potential negative impacts of robots and actively address them.

The Effects of Moral Intensity and Moral Disengagement on Rule Violations: Occupational Safety in UK-based Construction Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic

AbstractWe take an ethics theory perspective to examine rule violations and workarounds in the UK construction industry in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK construction sector remained largely operational during lockdowns in the UK, providing an opportunity to explore the ways in which construction workers made ethical decisions in situ, related to health and safety at work, and COVID-19 rules. We conducted 22 semi-structured interviews with participants from 11 organisations (3 major construction companies and 8 subcontractors) during November 2021 to January 2022. Our qualitative analysis focused on coding responses based on the use of moral disengagement tactics, and the dimensions of moral intensity (magnitude of consequences, social consensus, probability of effect, temporal immediacy, proximity and, concentration of effect). We found instances of ethical dilemmas, including conflicts between compliance with organisational health and safety rules, and following COVID-19 rules. Our analysis showed that rule violations were often justified based on moral disengagement tactics, particularly cognitive reconstrual, obscuring personal agency, disregarding consequences and vilification of the victims. Furthermore, moral intensity played a significant role in making ethical decisions about violating rules. Moral intensity was most influential (across dimensions) for moral disengagement based on cognitive reconstrual (e.g., justifications for choosing to follow one set of rules over another). Social context was highly influential in workers’ ethical decisions, including organisational and group social norms, but wider societal attitudes towards the COVID-19 pandemic, also played a significant role. We discuss the implications for business ethics theory, policy and practice, including recommendations for businesses and policymakers.

Ethical research in the German social sciences: Exploring the significance and challenges of institutionalized research ethics practices

Ethical research in the German social sciences: Exploring the significance and challenges of institutionalized research ethics practices

The Effectiveness of aHospital Ethics Committee in a Non-Western Country: Lessons from a Ten-Year Experience.

Hospital ethics committees (HECs) arerelatively new in non-Western countries. This article examines the effectiveness of a HEC established in Bursa/Turkey over ten years, aiming to contribute insights for the wider implementation and enhancement of HECs. The evaluative methodology combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess its effectiveness. Patients are the primary users of the HEC, although applications from physicians, hospital managers, and the Patient Rights Board are also observed. Surgical specialities account for the majority of applications, particularly from obstetrics and gynecology, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine. The study identifies the types of applications, with malpractice claims, ethical inquiries, and access-related complaints being the most common. Despite many healthcare professionals encountering ethical dilemmas, the HEC was underutilized for consultations due to factors such as low awareness, perceived autonomy challenges, and skepticism regarding its efficacy. Additionally, the study describes how HEC recommendations contribute to policy development, addressing organizational issues and promoting ethical practices. The decision-making process within the HEC was also scrutinized, emphasizing the necessity of a structured methodology for moral deliberation. Concerns are raised about committee members lacking specific training in ethical analysis, potentially resulting in biases and suboptimal decisions. Contextual factors, including institutional culture and economic considerations, are also recognized for their influence on decision-making. This analysis highlights the multifaceted nature of HECs and the challenges they face in achieving effectiveness. It underscores the need for standardized measures, improved training for committee members, and contextual awareness to enhance the impact and functionality of HECs in healthcare institutions.

Investigating Employee Perceptions of Ethical Sustainability in Companies

In today's business environment, corporate governance and strategy have come to focus heavily on the relationship of sustainability and business ethics. This paper examines the complex link between sustainable development and ethical business practices, making the case that moral concerns are essential to reaching long-term sustainability objectives. Integrity, justice, and responsibility are just a few of the values that make up business ethics. The first section of the paper outlines the introduction to importance of Ethical practices, fundamental ideas of sustainability and business ethics, emphasising how they have developed historically and how important they are becoming to corporate goals. It also talks about the importance of religious principles which have focussed on ethical practices in business. Also, some case studies as examples of companies which are concentrating on ethical practices, followed by some examples quoting unethical practices and scams happened in India. Next section is dedicated to the Research methodology and data analysis, the primary data has been collected from 61 respondents, whose perception about ethical and sustainable practices have been captured and analysed descriptive and inferentially it is found that in most of the cases various age group respondents are not significantly different in terms of ethical, sustainable practices but only in 2 instances like the long-term profitability and level of importance with respect to sustainability practices and profitability there are differences of perceptions.

Ethical considerations in AI use for SMEs and supply chains: Current challenges and future directions

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and supply chains has revolutionized operational efficiencies and decision-making processes. This review paper aims to explore the ethical implications of AI adoption in these sectors, identifying current challenges and proposing future directions for ethical AI deployment. Through an extensive review of existing literature, the paper examines key ethical concerns such as data privacy, bias in AI algorithms, transparency, and the socio-economic impact on the workforce. The findings indicate that SMEs face unique ethical challenges due to their limited resources and expertise, which exacerbate issues related to AI implementation. Additionally, supply chains grapple with transparency and accountability, necessitating immediate attention to ensure ethical practices. The review concludes that establishing a robust ethical framework is crucial for guiding AI integration in SMEs and supply chains. It recommends the development of standardized ethical guidelines, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and increased investment in AI literacy and infrastructure. Future research should focus on creating adaptable ethical models that evolve alongside technological advancements and industry needs, ensuring that AI contributes to sustainable and equitable growth. This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on ethical AI, offering actionable insights for policymakers, business leaders, and researchers dedicated to fostering responsible AI practices in SMEs and supply chains. Keywords: Ethical AI, SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), Supply Chains, Algorithmic Bias, Data Privacy, Transparency, Accountability, AI Trust, Regulatory Compliance, Stakeholder Engagement, Job Displacement, Explainable AI (XAI), Workforce Reskilling, Sustainable AI Practices, AI Ethics Frameworks.

Hidden in plain sight: the covering of patients’ eyes and a microethics of medical photography

This article uses the author’s experience of researching historical photographs of facial injury and surgical reconstruction to think through the ethics of writing about and publishing images of patients anonymised...

Navigating Ethics in AI-Driven Translation for a Human-Centric Future

General Background: The rapid growth of AI technology is reshaping various industries, including translation, bringing both opportunities and ethical challenges. Specific Background: AI's integration into translation processes promises automation and efficiency but raises concerns about the role of human translators, translation quality, and cultural nuances. Additionally, issues like machine bias and privacy preservation are emerging as critical ethical considerations. Knowledge Gap: While much attention has been given to AI's technical advancements, there is a lack of comprehensive research addressing the ethical implications of AI in translation and its impact on professional roles and requirements. Aims: This study aims to critically review the literature on AI's impact on the translation profession and explore the ethical challenges arising from AI integration. It seeks to provide recommendations for ethical translation practices in an AI-enhanced environment. Results: Through in-depth interviews with professional translators, educators, and industry experts, the study identified key themes such as transparency in AI systems, the responsibility of human translators, bias in AI systems, and the impact on human translators. Novelty: This research offers a unique perspective by combining insights from diverse stakeholders and emphasizing ethical considerations in AI-assisted translation. It proposes an action-oriented approach to addressing ethical concerns to ensure the survival of the translation profession in an AI-driven society. Implications: The findings serve as valuable guidance for translators, educators, and policymakers, highlighting the need for ethical frameworks and guidelines specific to AI integration in translation. This study underscores the importance of balancing AI advancements with ethical standards to achieve high-quality, culturally sensitive translations. Highlight: Ethical Considerations: Address bias and privacy in AI-assisted translation. Human Expertise: Maintain human involvement for quality and cultural nuance. Future Research: Enhance ethical practices with diverse, comprehensive studies. Keyword: AI integration, translation ethics, machine bias, human translators, cultural sensitivity

Advancing Disaster Resilience: The Ethical Dimensions of Adaptability and Adaptive Leadership in Public Service Organizations

Organizations are perpetually challenged to adapt and evolve in the increasingly complex and unpredictable public service landscape. Using two international case studies from Australia and New Zealand, this research examines the critical role of adaptive leadership in fostering resilience within public service entities, focusing on the integral role of ethics in disaster response. The research is grounded in the theory of adaptive leadership, which posits that contemporary organizational challenges require leadership to encourage adaptation and learning. The study explores how adaptive leadership, intertwined with ethical practices, contributes to creating resilient public service organizations capable of withstanding and evolving through crises, constant changes, and adversities. Through a detailed examination of the case studies affecting the general public and ethical considerations, the research unravels the intricacies of public administrators’ ethical dilemmas, concluding with reflections on the implications for public service ethics, integrity, and public trust. The study not only elucidates the symbiotic relationship between adaptive leadership and ethics in fostering organizational resilience but also charts a course for future policy formulation and leadership training programs, underscoring the indispensable role of ethical governance in navigating crises.

Prefigurative Peace in Philippians

Paul refers to peace twice in Phil. 4:7 and 4:9. This paper argues that the peace of God is a prefiguration of the eschatological peace to come in God’s world. It is be proposed that as Philippians is dealing with a social order (i.e., that of life in Christ) that is distinct from the dominant social order of the Roman empire or that of the colony of Philippi, political implications are at the very least a corollary of what Paul is writing to the Christ devotees in this city. The main points that will be argued are that peace is best understood as a key dimension for God’s upcoming new world that is already present “in Christ”. The Philippian community is called upon to stand firm in Christ (Phil. 4:1), which is, due to devotional and ethical practices, to result in the experience of God’s peace or the God of peace. This must be understood as both a present and a future reality. Accordingly, the Philippian community can be seen as prefiguring God’s future world by inhabiting this world now already in their communal life.

Keep quiet or act? Challenges in integrating ethical theory into gerontological nursing care during students’ first clinical rotation: A discussion paper

AimThe aim of the paper is twofold: 1. To present observations based on first-year nursing students’ narratives during clinical rotation in gerontological nursing care; and 2. Explore a nursing educator’s reflections on these observations in relation to the didactic and ethical challenges that occurred. BackgroundThe teaching of ethics is included in nurse education worldwide. Students are in their first clinical placement in residential care of older persons confronted with the moral complexities of gerontological care, where they get little possibility to share emotions and thoughts about ethically challenging nursing situations with a supervising registered nurse. DesignA critical discussion paper. MethodThe educator’s reflections in this discussion paper are based on a narrative assignment in ethics where first-year nursing students reflect on and describe a nursing situation during their clinical rotation in the residential care of older persons. ResultsMost students were acting as mere spectators in the described nursing situation where an older person, ethical standards, or evidence-based care was violated. Some students acted as advocates to the older person and intervened in the situation and a few as inspirers showing alternative ways of handling ethically challenging situations. ConclusionsEducators in nursing programs at the undergraduate level require time for student-centered formative guidance to foster moral courage and practice. During first-year students’ clinical rotation, the learning goals in long-term residential care of older persons are focused on evidence-based basic nursing care. In this, students are confronted with ethically challenging situations, where the possibility to learn from a critical reflective practice is rare. When observing situations where an older person is subjected to unethical or unsafe nursing care it is common that the students take the spectators’ role, not knowing how to deal with what is observed. Some students are taking an intervening role by trying to alleviate the vulnerability of the older person. A few are showing moral courage by directly intervening when experiencing unethical or unsafe nursing care or conduct. In this the student can inspire fellow students or staff during their clinical rotation in alternative ways of handling ethically challenging situations. As older persons are the largest demographic group that nurses will experience, educators need a sound knowledge of ethics as well as gerontological care to be able to meet and nurture students’ ethical reflections during clinical practice and to foster practical wisdom in nursing.

IRB Consent Guidelines: Potential Barriers to Diversity in Research.

Despite initiatives aimed at improving study participation and inclusion among ethnic and racially minoritized and marginalized populations, participation remains low. While necessary to ensure ethical practice in human participant research, certain Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines may introduce additional barriers in research involving these populations. This work outlines guidelines pertaining to consent translation for non-English speaking populations and offers discussion on a greater emphasis for more inclusive methods for marginalized communities. The University of Wisconsin's IRB approved alternative oral consent processes after the community partner determined that standard translation processes would be inefficient. Researchers used translated consent materials for four different ethnic groups (Hmong, Karen, Karenni, and Burmese). We provided recorded consents in each respective language to participants before study participation and obtained verbal consent prior to study participation at the study location. We experienced time and resource constraints in both access to translators and the consent-translation process itself. Furthermore, many participants were unable to read in their native language making standard written consent processes both difficult and impractical. Oral discussion and verbal consent processes were efficient. Adjustments to consent-related guidelines may prevent and eliminate time and resource-related barriers in consent processes. In eliminating such barriers, subsequent improved efficiency in both study design and study promotion areas can work to better promote diversity in research among populations that emphasize oral language and in instances where literacy rates in written non-English language may be lower.

Entrepreneurs’ Networking Behavior and Ethical Practice: The Mediating Role of Structural Hole

Entrepreneurs’ Networking Behavior and Ethical Practice: The Mediating Role of Structural Hole

How accounting can shape a better world: framework, analysis and research agenda

PurposeThis article centres on the pertinence of redefining accounting for tomorrow, particularly for facilitating the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, thereby, for shaping a better world. In aspiring for accounting to reach its full potential as a multidimensional technical, social and moral practice, this paper aims to focus on ideas, initiatives and proposals for realising accounting’s future potential and responsibilities.Design/methodology/approachThe study deploys a further developed “strategic implementation framework”, initially proposed by Carnegie et al. (2023), with an emphasis on accounting serving “the public interest” so as “to enable the flourishing of organisations, people and nature” (Carnegie et al., 2021a, p. 69; 2021b). It depicts strategies towards the future of accounting and the world.FindingsSignificant opportunities are identified for accounting and accountants, working closely with a diversity of stakeholders, to become alert to and cognisant of the nature, roles, uses and impacts of accounting. The evidence presented notes a predominant inattention of accounting and accountants to the SDGs despite the deteriorating state of our social and natural environment.Research limitations/implicationsWhilst this article examines other articles in this special issue (SI), there is no substitute for carefully reading, reflecting on and deliberating upon these articles individually.Originality/valueThe time for accounting to focus on creating a better world can no longer be extended. Accounting’s full potential will not be realised by remaining in a narrow and complacent, technicist state.

Communicating corporate social advocacy (CSA) in polarized times: A stoic turn from dancing to wrestling

In an age of increasing stakeholder activism, seen in movements like Fridays for Future, MeToo, and Black Lives Matter, and demands from socially conscious consumers, companies are expanding their roles beyond corporate social responsibility (CSR) and publicly addressing contentious social and political issues through corporate social advocacy (CSA). However, as stakeholders become more divided along ideological and socio-political lines, CSA can often lead to backlash from polarized audiences, damaging the company’s reputation, relationships, and legitimacy. This raises the question of whether it is prudent for companies to engage in CSA in polarized times? Can companies endure potential repercussions such as consumer boycotts, disaffected employees, and irate politicians and investors? This paper critiques the limitations of current approaches to communicating corporate societal responsibilities and explores Stoicism, an ancient Hellenistic philosophy, as an alternative lens to answer these difficult questions. As an applied philosophy and practical ethics, Stoicism not only offers a philosophical rationale for CSA, but also offers actionable principles to deal with agitated, divergent voices in polarized times. This paper discusses four selected Stoic thoughts and offers practical advice for managers on whether and how to effectively engage in CSA in polarized times. Recommendations include aligning CSA efforts with corporate identity, prioritizing factors within the organization’s control, remaining flexible and adaptable when encountering obstacles, and adopting reflective practice.

Artificial Intelligence in Head and Neck Surgery: Potentials, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations

The growing prominence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medicine introduces both transformative possibilities and potential challenges. Our study focuses on the current status and perceptions of AI in Head and Neck Surgery (HNS), examining its utilization, benefits, ethical concerns, and protective measures. The study aims to illuminate the existing landscape of AI in HNS in Germany. Conducted through a questionnaire, key aspects include its current usage, potential applications (e.g., diagnosis, surgical planning), anticipated benefits (e.g., improved patient care ), and significant ethical concerns (e.g., miscalculations by AI, data privacy). The survey reveals limited AI adoption in HNS, with substantial potential for improvement. Ethical considerations, especially miscalculations by AI and data privacy, emerge as central issues. The survey emphasizes the crucial role of physician control and the need for legal oversight to address concerns related to AI integration. While AI's presence in HNS is modest, the study identifies opportunities for enhancement. Ethical guidelines and practitioner-centric control are vital for discussions surrounding AI integration. This research underscores the significance of ethical considerations and practitioner control in the context of AI in surgical practices. It highlights the demand for targeted training to empower practitioners in navigating the complexities of AI technologies in healthcare, ensuring responsible and patient-centric implementation.

Assessment of the understanding and awareness of bioethics among healthcare professionals in all public and private hospitals of Haripur district, Pakistan: a multicentre cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo assess the level of bioethics awareness among healthcare professionals in Pakistan, focusing on the associations with sociodemographic characteristics, training and teaching of ethics, medical ethics practice and specific ethical...

“Something There is That doesn’t Love a Wall”: Notes on the Limits of Risk-Based Boundary Norms in Clinical Social Work

ABSTRACT Boundaries are a practice of separating one thing from the other; to make clear where I end and where you begin. Establishing and enforcing clinical boundaries is taken for granted as a necessary foundation of therapeutic work by social work’s governing and administrative bodies. Upon interrogation, normative standards of ethical practice tend to serve broader populations and institutions by deputizing social workers to self-police, even as such boundary norms may fail to serve the individuals and relationships at the heart of clinical practice. As a collective of early-career clinical social workers, we have at times felt certain obligatory boundaries force us to choose between serving an institution and caring for an individual. We explore moments where tension between boundaries and care is felt in vignettes from our clinical work with queer, trans, and racial minority clients, and through our analysis of boundary-setting texts. Seeking to queer norms of boundary-making discourse, we explore the possibilities of resistance that empower clients and prioritize relationships.

The use and ethics of dental photography and social media at an oral healthcare training centre in South Africa.

The ethics surrounding the use and sharing of photographs on social media has come under the spotlight as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act) has come into play. The aim is to determine the use, ethical practice and sharing of dental photography on social media among qualified and undergraduate oral health practitioners at a dental school in South Africa. A cross-sectional study design was used on staff and students at the University of the Western Cape's Dental Faculty in 2022. Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine associations between the different graduation statuses and various demographic factors. From the 80 undergraduate students and 46 qualified oral healthcare practitioners, the majority were aware that photography could be used in dentistry, and 87.3% (n = 110) took photographs of the dental treatments performed on their patients. Only 60.3% of the participants attended an ethical course that addressed issues with social media and digital photography. Almost 80% (n = 100) of the participants did not feel that they needed to mention all the social media platforms that they would use with their patients' photographs before sharing. Dental photography is being used and sometimes shared on social media platforms by some students and staff at university level. Not all participants have attended an ethical course on clinical photography. Dental training needs to include an ethical course on dental photography and the use of sharing photographs on social media. Good ethical practice regarding clinical photographs in all undergraduate and postgraduate curriculums, to eliminate any uncertainty.

INHART's research landscape: A case study of trends and patterns (2008-2023)

This study thoroughly examines publication trends at INHART from 2008 to 2023, employing quantitative and qualitative methodologies to analyse the institute's thematic evolution and scholarly contributions. Results reveal a significant increase in publication volume and a strategic diversification of research topics over the examined period. In recent years, I have witnessed a focus on addressing complex issues such as "halal risk" and "halal critical points," which is indicative of INHART's responsiveness to emerging challenges in the global halal market. Furthermore, INHART's research trajectory aligns with broader sustainability goals and demonstrates proactive integration of advanced technologies. These findings highlight INHART's significant influence on halal practices and its potential to shape policy-making and societal well-being. The study concludes with recommendations for INHART to continue fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, expanding international partnerships, and prioritising educational initiatives to solidify further its impact in promoting ethical and sustainable practices within the halal industry.