Discussion post

Part 1. Should be 350-500 words. With at least 2 in text citations that are scholarly peer review articles.

Review the U.S. Catholic Bishops 1996 statement, . This document lists ten principles to guide Catholic teaching on economic life. Discuss your reaction to at least one of the ten principles. Is this principle consistent with your understanding of ethical leadership? Is this principle consistent with your understanding of social responsibility? How would a leader demonstrate and encourage support of this principle in an organization? Discuss an example of an organization which has demonstrated support of this principle.

Part 2(a) This is the discussion response to classmate. Should be at least 350-500 words. Use at least 2 in text citations that are scholarly peer reviewed articles.

The principle that I chose in the U.S Catholic Bishops 1996 statement A Catholic Framework for Economic Life is that the economy exists for the person, not the person for the economy (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB], 1996). This principle positions economic life as a fundamentally moral endeavor rooted in human dignity rather than financial efficiency. It urges leaders to assess economic systems based on how effectively they support people, particularly the most vulnerable, rather than on how efficiently individuals contribute to economic output. This principle aligns closely with contemporary expectations of ethical leadership and responsible organizational behavior.

This principle is consistent with my understanding of ethical leadership, which emphasizes integrity, fairness, and concern for the well-being of others. Trevio, Brown, and Hartman (2003) describe ethical leaders as both moral persons and moral managers who model ethical behavior and intentionally shape ethical norms. The Bishops principle reinforces this dual responsibility by insisting that leaders prioritize human dignity over profit maximization. In this sense, the principle is foundational to ethical leadership.

It also aligns closely with modern conceptions of corporate social responsibility. Carrolls (1991) CSR Pyramid places ethical responsibilities above economic ones, suggesting that organizations must consider the human and social impact of their decisions. The Bishops statement echoes this hierarchy by asserting that economic activity must serve human flourishing.

Leaders can demonstrate this principle by ensuring fair wages, fostering safe and respectful workplaces, investing in employee development, and considering the broader community impact of organizational decisions. Patagonia exemplifies this approach through its commitment to fair labor practices, environmental stewardship, and long-term sustainability (Chouinard & Stanley, 2012). Costco offers another example, demonstrating that prioritizing employees through higher wages and strong benefits can coexist with strong financial performance (Cascio, 2006).

Overall, this principle provides a powerful ethical lens for leadership, reminding organizations that people, not profits must remain at the center of economic life.

Reference

Carroll, A. B. (1991). Business Horizons, 34(4), 3948.

Cascio, W. F. (2006). Harvard Business Review, 84(12), 2333.

Chouinard, Y., & Stanley, V. (2012). The responsible company. Patagonia Books.

Trevio, L. K., Brown, M., & Hartman, L. P. (2003). Human Relations, 56(1), 537.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (1996). A Catholic framework for economic life.

Part 2(b) This is the discussion response to classmate. Should be at least 350-500 words. Use at least 2 in text citations that are scholarly peer reviewed articles.

I chose to discuss principle six from A Catholic Framework for Catholic Life. This principle states all people, to the extent they are able, have a corresponding duty to work, a responsibility to provide the needs of their families and an obligation to contribute to the broader society (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1996). This principle aligns with my studies on ethical leadership and social responsibility.

Research stipulated that ethics are influenced by society, education, and cultural background. Personal, organizational, industry, and cultural norms are closely tied to ethical development (Hunt & Vitell, 1986, as cited in Armstrong, 1996). Ethical development is shaped by society and education. Literature reviews examined how these aspects were related to ethical development and how they were applied to industry standards. These concepts support the idea that individuals in society have a responsibility within their networks to provide for their families and contribute to the greater good.

A leader can demonstrate and encourage ethical leadership within an organization such as Google. Google uses non-standard ways to encourage and motivate their employees. Ethical leadership research emphasizes the moral flexibility of leadership approaches, suggesting that ethical leadership is context-dependent (Dion, 2011). One model focused on acknowledging the ethical dilemma, assessing values and beliefs, analyzing conflict, making decisions, and understanding what constitutes an ethical decision (Green & Walker, 2009). Google is a great example of a company that encourages its employees to exercise autonomy and apply good ethics in their decision-making.

References

Armstrong, R. W. (1996). The relationship between culture and perception of ethical problems in international marketing. Journal of Business Ethics, 15(11), 11991208.

Dion, M. (2012). Are ethical theories relevant for ethical leadership? Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 33(1), 424.

Green, J., & Walker, K. (2009). A contingency model for ethical decision-making by educational leaders. International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation, 4(4).

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (1996). A Catholic framework for economic life.

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