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The Pluralist Theory of Ethics Programs Orientations and Ideologies: An Empirical Study Anchored in Requisite Variety

Journal of Business Ethics volume 142, pages 791–815 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

We propose, in this article, a pluralistic theory of ethics programs orientations, empirically derived from the statistical analysis of responses to an ad hoc questionnaire on organizational ethics practices. The results of our research identify six different orientations to ethics programs, corresponding to as many types of organizational ethics practices. This model goes beyond the traditional opposition between a compliance orientation, focused on the regulation of behavior and the detection of deviance, and a values-based orientation, which is said to be more reflective and enabling, and allows for a more sophisticated understanding of the composition of ethics programs. Drawing from the theory of requisite variety, we suggest that these six orientations are not to be considered in opposition but rather as complementary and even synergistic. In doing so, this pluralism has the potential to counter the potential deleterious effects of dominant logics and ideologies in organizations. Our model thus allows for a more empirical analysis of organizational ethics practices and programs and provides a new analytical framework for research and practice in considering the principle of requisite variety in ethics management. This represents, in our opinion, a contribution to the advancement of knowledge and practice in organizational ethics.

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Fig. 1

Notes

  1. Parastatal organizations are similar to public or state-own organizations but enjoy more autonomy than public or government agencies. Also, their management systems are very close to those of the private sector. Examples of parastatals are hospitals and universities in Quebec, Canada.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroethics Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC, Canada

    Joé T. Martineau

  2. Chair in Ethical Management, HEC Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Joé T. Martineau & Thierry C. Pauchant

  3. Department of Management, HEC Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Kevin J. Johnson

Authors
  1. Joé T. Martineau
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  2. Kevin J. Johnson
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  3. Thierry C. Pauchant
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Correspondence to Joé T. Martineau.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 7.

Table 7 Inter-judge agreement on the classification of each 45 ethics practices on the proposed six-orientations model
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Martineau, J.T., Johnson, K.J. & Pauchant, T.C. The Pluralist Theory of Ethics Programs Orientations and Ideologies: An Empirical Study Anchored in Requisite Variety. J Bus Ethics 142, 791–815 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3183-x

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Keywords

  • Ethics management
  • Ethics programs
  • Ethics practices
  • Organizational ideologies
  • Requisite variety