Chapter 2 - Values

INTRODUCTION

People are different in terms of their values. People who value time, they are very conscious

about their time. They are always on time, and they are excellent on time allocation. On the other

hand, there are people who are found to be least bothered about time. They do not sense the time

and they do not know the meaning of deadlines. Therefore, humans set their values differently.

Values are the set of principles that people aim to live their lives.

Values are the fundamental beliefs or desires that guide or motivate attitudes and actions. It is a

set of principles which standardize the behavior and helps to make right, worthwhile and value-

based-judgments. Values are deeply conceived in people’s sub-conscious mind and reflected in

their behavior.

In general, values can be understood by following points:

 Values provide us the guidance to determine and decide between the right versus

the wrong, the good versus the bad and desirable versus undesirable. They are our

standards.

 Values have great influence on a person’s behavior and attitude and serve as

broad guide lines in the entire situation.

 Values can be personal, cultural, traditional, or a combination of internal and

external factors.
  Values are usually developed and shaped by many different internal and external

influences, including family, traditions, culture, and more recently, the media and

the internet.

 Some common business values are honest, hardworking, discipline, fairness

community involvement etc.

Activity

Identifying / Comparing two values:

Arab/Omani Values Western/European/American Values

10
Types of Values

1. Personal Values: Personal values are those values which are possessed by individuals.
These values and belief leads to action. It reflects in individual’s behavior, attitude and
nature. Personal values can be positive, negative or neutral.

Ex: Mr. Salem reports to his duty five minutes early everyday (Punctuality in his job)

2. Social Values: Social values are those beliefs which are based on the welfare and wellbeing
of the society. This may include equality, justice, liberty, freedom etc.

Ex: Helping your friend, neighbor and others.

3. Economic Values: Values related to earning and spending money. Like spending money in
a correct way and charging correct price for the product etc.

Ex: Mrs. Muna keeps accounts of all her monthly income and expense regularly.

4. Spiritual Values: Values associated with the relationship of an individual with his God. In
specific terms, it includes the mode of worship, beliefs etc. It depends on what God had
revealed. If a person is very much strong in spiritual value his action will be more ethical.

Ex: Mrs. Fatma gives away her Zakat every year on time

5. Technical Values: Values associated with the use of science and technology. Example;
using nuclear science and other technologies for the benefit of human being and not for
harming anyone.

Ex: Mr. Mazin uses internet only for good purposes and he avoids misuse of it.

6. Legal values: Values associated with adhering to the laws of a country.

Ex: Mrs. Aziza takes all care to follow traffic rules while driving.
7. Aesthetic values: These are based on beauty and neatness. Example: not to destroy a
colorful flower and keeping the class room and office neat and clean.

Ex: Mrs. Shamsa always keeps her house clean

Classifications of Values

1. W.M. Urban Classification of Values

a. Based on necessities: These values are based on basic necessities like food,

water, air, shelter, and clothing without which survival of the body is not

possible. It can be called as physical and economic values.

b. Based on Social: Once the physical and economic values are satisfied, people

move to satisfy his higher needs like the social needs, security needs etc..

These values are social values, values of association and character values.

c. Based on Spiritual: These are the values which strive to achieve the need of

self-actualization, like religious values.

2. Rokeach Classification of Values:

a. Terminal Values: Refer to “desirable ends” of existence that a person would like to

achieve during his or her lifetime. It could be categorized as:

i. Personal Values: like happiness, good health, family, family security, a comfortable life.

ii. Social Values: like social recognition, freedom, end of poverty, peace on earth.
 b. Instrumental Value: refer to “desirable means” of behavior to achieve the terminal

values. It is the ways through which we attain our terminal values. It could be categorized

as:

i. Moral Values: like honesty, politeness, helpfulness, and ethical decisions.

ii. Competence Value: like personal ability, ambitions, job competency.

Stages/Period of Values Development

Sociologist Morris Massey has described three major periods during which values are
developed.

1. The Imprint Period (Role of FAMILY)

Up to the age of seven, we are like sponges, absorbing everything around us and accepting much
of it as true, especially when it comes from our parents. This is the reason why when a family is
having good experiences and live in good ways the children also learn those things.

2. The Modeling Period (Role of EDUCATION)

Between the ages of eight and thirteen, we copy people, often our parents, but also other people.
Rather than blind acceptance, we are trying on things like suit of clothes, to see how they feel.

We may be much impressed with religion or our teachers. You may remember being particularly
influenced by junior school teachers who seemed so knowledgeable may be even more so than
your parents.

3. The Socialization Period (Role of SOCIETY)

Between 13 and 21, we are very largely influenced by our friends and teachers. As we develop as
individuals and look for ways to get away from the earlier programming, we naturally turn to
people who seem more like us. Other influences at these ages include the films and the books
you read. In recent times, Social Media plays a major influence in the Socialization period.

SIX METHODS OF Learning and Teaching VALUES

According to Ryan (2000), the six methods of Teaching values are

1. Example
2. Explanation
3. Exhortation
4. Ethos
5. Experience
6. Expectation of Excellence

1. Examples : Teaching values through Examples and models:

Human beings aren't born civilized; we have to learn almost everything important by
example. Children like heroes and they want to be like their heroes. Their heroes include
people they know, people they see on television, and people they read about or hear about.
Children learn from their heroes which results in development of positive values.

2. Explanation: Teaching values through Explaining rules

Just telling rules to children is not enough. The rules have to be explained in a language
suitable for their age then children will learn quickly. The rules tell them what is right, what
is wrong, what is good, what to admire, and so on. Values are also taught very directly when
certain behaviors are expected in children.

3. Exhortation : Teaching values through stories with morals or lessons:

Another way of approaching morals, values, and worldviews is through stories and examples
that speak directly to particular values. A story is told with a lesson in it. Typically, the
stories show how to behave or how not to obey in situations where a decision has to be made.
 Often in these stories right behaviors and actions are rewarded and, of course, wrong
behaviors bring negative result.

4. Ethos: Teaching values through Ethos by creating a positive environment

A very important aspect of teaching values to anybody is to create an environment of positive

values. For example if parents tell their children not to lie but parents themselves lie than it is
not possible for the child to learn positive values. An environment of positive value has to be
created by doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong so that it is easy for the others to
follow. If everybody is doing right, it becomes difficult to do wrong.

5. Experience: Teaching values through Experience or Situations

One of the ways that teachers can help children to develop their values is to give them
experiences. The students may be given situations where they may be asked to take ethical
decisions. Also, examples of what others have done in such situations can also help in
developing values.

6. Expectation of Excellence : Teaching values through Expectation of excellence:

One of the most important methods of teaching values is through creating expectation of
excellence. Such expectation will lead the child to perform better initially it can start from
academic excellence and later on can be tied up to character excellence.

There are other sources from which get their values, which are

Traditions and Culture: traditions are among the most powerful forces shaping our values.

Ideas passed down from generation to generation make up a strong family values. Generations
follow observable historical patterns and thus offer a powerful tool for predicting future

workforce attitudes.

Religious Groups: Many people learn their value priorities through religious training. This may

be achieved through the accepted teachings of a church, through religious literature such as the

Koran and the Bible, or through individuals in churches or mosque who are positive role models.

The Media: Internet: TV also affects our value it shows viewers too often see people abusing

and degrading other people without any significant consequences. Mainstream television, seen

by a large number of young viewers, continues to feature a great deal of violence and antisocial

behavior.

Steps of Developing Personal Values

Values like a band which manage and direct our thinking, decisions and behavior. People are

different in specifying their values and how they deal with situations in a life. The development

of personal values is a lifelong process that affects all areas of life. Personal values develop

through experience and learning. They are formed and reformed through time and they impact

our personal lives as well as our professional lives. Development of personal values is essential

in learning, and understanding personal values is important. Here are the ways by which we can

develop our personal value.

Thinking

Every human being find different ways of their life and in the way of life they find different

alternative to perform his job. For making choice among alternative every person has to do
critical thinking analysis (positive and negative of each alternative) to take the best decision.

With this thinking only and making a choice every person makes his own value for their life.

Feeling

This dimension of the developing valuing process involves being open to your “gut level”

feelings (inner level). It means you develop value based on something is going to happen in a

certain way and start. If it doesn’t “feel right,” it probably isn’t.

Communicating

Values are clarified through an ongoing process of interaction with others. Be an active listener

and hear what others are really saying.

Choosing

Your values must be freely selected with no outside pressure. In some situations, you develop a

values based on different alternatives and their consequences.

Acting

Act repeatedly and consistently on your beliefs. One way to test whether something is of value to

you is to ask yourself, “Do I find that this value is persistent.

Steps of Developing Organization’s Values

Values are not limited to persons only but also relevant to organizations. Organizational values

play a vital role in describing the management vision and its action of the organizations. Values

are important for organizations to draw its identity in a market . Now days , most companies

support diversity , innovation ,integrity and communication . These values lead them to be

successful.

Determination to Run a Value-Based Business

At the outset, the firm has to determine to support value-based work environment and business.

This requires more patience with revenue. The organization has to be ready to make decisions,

practices and procedures based on ethical norms.

Figuring out the Personal Values

To develop the organizational values, it is of utmost important to know the personal values of

employer and employees so as to make them common for all. There must not be any difference

or clash between personal and professional values within the organization.

Adopting Values from Key Persons or Organization

A sound organization’s values can be developed through adopting the exemplary values of

renowned personalities and organizations. The good values are imbibed with the existing values

of organization to make it more adoptable and moral.

Combining the Values

After identifying the suitable and adoptable values from all the sources i.e. personal,

professional, key persons and key organizations, it is to be merged and develop a single core set

of values for the organization.

Taking Feedback on Newly Developed Values

The new values should be tested in terms of its feasibility and acceptability. There may be some

clashes on that because it is not possible to satisfy everyone. If the majority supports, then it is to

be implemented.

Integrating Core Values into Everything Organization Does:

The new values should be applied to the entire organization in all the works. It should keep in all

the processes of hiring, firing, performance review and maintaining industrial relations

Reference:
 Collins, D. (2012). Business Ethics . River Street, Hoboken : John Wiley & Sons .
 Kick, F. (2005). What makes kids kick: Inspiring the Millennial Generation to Kick It In .
Instruction and Design Concept .
 Louw, D. A. (1998). Human Development . South Africa : Pearson.
 L. Barry & Reece E. (2009). Human Relations Interpersonal and Organizational
Applications, Ch-5,pg 101-105, Northwestern Michigan College,
 Ahmad Khaliq & M. Sadiq AbulHassan (2001) Ethics in Business and Management:
Islamic and mainstream approaches (Eds.), London: ASEAN Academic Press.
 Beekun, R.I. (2004) Islamic Business Ethics, New Delhi: Goodword Books Pvt. Ltd.
 Ryan K. & T. Lickona (1992) Character development in schools and beyond (Eds.),
Washington: The council for research in values and philosophy.
 Joseph DesJardins,second Edition, Business ethics, Mc Graw hills Internationals
  Crane,Andrew and Matten,Dirt(2007) Business Ethics, Oxford University Press, New
York.
 Business Ethics Concepts and Cases, 6th ed.; Manuel G.Velagsquez, P. No.10, 12 & 13.
 Understanding Business Ethics: “Roger Bradburn” page no. 11-15
 Business Ethics Concepts and Cases, 6th ed.; Manuel G.Velagsquez, P. No.10, 12 &13

Activity

Predicting values for your dream organization:

Suppose after five years if you will open your own company what values will you have
for your company related to employees, work, work culture, quality etc. etc.

Values Reasons to choose

7
 8

10

CASE STUDY

Isa, a 20 year employee with Toyota, was fired for poor job performance and poor attendance.
He was also warned with five disciplinary actions within 12 month period under the company’s
progressive policy. One week later, (after termination of job) Isa told the supervisor that he had a
problem of drug abuse.

After knowing the situation the HR Manager of the Toyota helped Isa in obtaining treatment
from the company’s fund. In 2 weeks Isa get discharged from the hospital and the doctor said
that Isa is totally fit to resume the job again. Isa received a letter from the hospital which said
that “Isa is completely healthy for leading a clean and sober lifestyle”.

Isa once again approached to Toyota Company and requested for another chance. He told that
past problems resulted from drug addiction.

Toyota Company said that Isa should have notified his supervisor of his drug problem. The
company stressed that Isa was fired for poor performance and absenteeism and also he was
warned with five disciplinary actions including careless, distracting others, wasting time,
disregarding safety rules. So he will not be given another chance to get the job.
Discussion Question

1. Should Isa be given another chance to get the job?

2. Did the company behave ethically toward Isa?
3. If Isa is given a chance, will it affect the company’s progressive policy?
4. Would it be fair to other employees to reinstate Isa?