After reading about ethics in small groups there was something about groupthink that got me thinking. What is groupthink and what is its effect on ethics? Groupthink may be defined many ways but Irving Janis who coined the phrase defines it as “a collective pattern of defensive avoidance” (Sims, 1992, pg. 651). This meaning that when a group comes together the people in it are almost afraid to speak up to go against the group even if the group is on an unethical path. Penn State University (n.d.) lecture describes groupthink of having inflexible decision making, to be overly cohesive as a group, and avoiding upsetting the majority of the group. This kind of thinking just sounds dangerous to upholding high ethics in an organization.
Sims’ (1992) research argues a connection between groupthink and ethical behavior by understanding how the role of groupthink may influence unethical behavior in business organizations. He thinks by understanding groupthink an organization may be able to put processes in place to avoid such thinking therefore upholding the ethical climate in the workplace. I think companies need to be more aware of this idea in order to avoid groupthink and adhere to higher ethical behavior for the whole organization. It would be like having an executive board of ‘yes’ person’s where people were actually afraid to either speak up or so arrogant they couldn’t be told they were wrong. Neither are good for growth and development or for adhering to a strong ethical climate.
Groupthink can come into play when there is over commitment, excessive or blind loyalty to the group as Sims (1992) mentions which can lead to avoidance of disrupting the group. While being loyal and devoted to one’s job is a great quality you must also be strong and willing to speak up when unethical ideas are passed around. It is a bit scary that this happens today and in big corporations. How did no one speak up and play the devil’s advocate and defend their ethics and morals in this day in age. But it happens and as current and future leaders it is our duty to be aware and not allow this type of groupthink to control the ethical climate in our organizations.
Penn State University. (n.d). PSY 533 Lesson 11. Retrieved from Pennsylvania State University World Campus Web site: https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1778551/pages/l11
Sims, R. R. (1992). Linking groupthink to unethical behavior in organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 11(9), 651-662.
Here is the original post published at Penn State:
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