Kohlberg’s Moral Manager II: From Rewards to Universalism

Abstract

Having outlined the basics of Kohlberg’s ethical concept of morality, his non-ethical stage zero, and the first real stage of management’s moral motives of punishment and obedience in Part I: From Impulsiveness to Punishment, this chapter discusses the moral stages from rewards to universalism. It highlights those stages of morality that are highly relevant to management. Part I has shown that many of today’s managerial practices do not contradict stage one. Managerial authority often demands obedience and managers still use punishment. Often this is called disciplinary action in HRM language or the most commonly exercised form of the so-called three strike rule. It is designed to enforce organisational conformity and rule compliance. These methods to create obedience and avoid punishment sometimes fail to ensure the designed outcome, the creation of Organisation Men. It is at this point when the managerial system of benefits and rewards starts to manifest itself as the essence of management’s moral motives. This is highlighted below.