Sformalizowane standardy etyczne w pespektywie teoretycznej

Jerzy Szczupaczyński

Abstract

  This paper examines the problem of formal ethics standards in the context of three perspectives, which are well-known in organizational science: institutionalism, stakeholder theory and contractualism. The main objective of the article is to present heuristic and explanatory potentials of the mentioned perspectives in regard to the formal ethics standards issues. Additionally the constraints of those perspectives are shortly presented. A central tenet of the institutional perspective is that organizations sharing the same environment will employ similar structures and thus become "isomorphic" with each other. Proponents of this perspective identify “ceremonial adoption” of corporate codes of ethics as organizations try to achieve legitimacy in their environment and increase their chances of survival and success. Advocates of stakeholder theory place emphasis on communication and integration functions of formal ethics standards in the organization-stakeholders relations. Similarly, in contractual perspective the regulative potential of formal ethics standards for stakeholder dialogue and engagement is emphasized. In conclusions of the article the advantages of interdisciplinary approach to formal ethics standards are stressed.