Dunlap, "Ethical Decision-making Sequence"
Notable for considering the consequences of doing nothing, for informing "only those involved" if action is taken, and for including a follow-up phase
SOURCE FOR THE PROCEDURE
Dunlap, Joanna C. "Ethical Decision-making in Business." 1998. http://www.cudenver.edu/~jdunlap/5990/project1obj.html#sequence (8 Jun. 1999).
Dunlap may not be the original author; instead, the method may be due to
Roy Batzel, Sherri Lancton, or to someone at the University of Texas
Business School.
THE PROCEDURE ITSELF
- Gather information.
- Decide if it is an ethical issue.
- Decide who should act.
- Determine the rights involved.
- Determine the desired outcome.
- Consider the consequences of not acting.
- Consult with others.
- Formulate selection criteria for a course of action.
- Choose an action.
- Inform only those involved.
- Implement chosen action.
- Follow-up/evaluation.
WALT'S CHECKLIST
The same checklist was applied to all procedures.
- This method is most useful when the DECISION-MAKER ...
- has easy access to advisors, consultants or role-players [step 7]
- has high initial sensitivity to relevant ethical "features" [step 2]
- has plenty of time for investigation and analysis
- is skilled in causal or consequential reasoning [steps 5 and 6]
- This method is most useful in a SITUATION ...
- that will change little over time
- This method is most useful when STAKEHOLDERS ...
- share laws and legal precedents [step 4]
