Ethics and Organizational Change

Abstract

P robably at no other time in economic history, particularly in that of the United States, have organizations and their participants been under greater pressure to change, and change in ways in which all participants and variables are impacted upon. This pressure comes from a variety of sources, such as competition from domestic organizations and foreign entities, changing societal values, the speed of technological advances, increasing costs related to the generation of goods and services, new product concepts and designs, changing educational levels and values of the work force, increased governmental regulations, life expectancy of individuals, shrinking natural and financial resources, and an imbalance of trade between the United States and other nations. Most organizations within the United States are facing at least one, if not all of the above-mentioned conditions. Along with the pressure for change come critical questions regarding the ethics of change which must be acknowledged and confronted by those involved in the change process.