In the case scenario, one of the factors that affected Badpenny's decision to share confidential information is her affection towards Dreadford, whom she is dating. From the case description, it is evident that Badpenny believes that Dreadford is a sweet person. Therefore, she cannot resist the temptation of sharing confidential information despite her knowledge that it is illegal. Another factor that influences Badpenny to share confidential information with Dreadford is past experience. Dreadford had narrated to her that an officer took him to prison for a crime he did not commit from the described scenario. Because Badpenny is in love with Dreadford, she is willing to share information involving the police. She has been convinced to set up people for crimes they did not commit. Because her lover went to prison for a crime that he denies, Badpenny has developed mistrust towards the police and no longer understands the need not to share confidential information. From the case scenario, it is also evident that Badpenny is influenced by the fact that her lover seems to give her attention and the gift of flowers suddenly. Badpenny appears to need attention and affection and is willing to do everything to please her lover.
The organization structure has a significant impact on the decisions that employees make on whether to be ethical or unethical. Highly bureaucratic organizations where the top managers strictly make decisions while following an established hierarchy may encourage unethical behavior. Such bureaucratic organizations usually separate the management from the junior staff expected to follow instructions without questioning. It, therefore, means that if a top manager decides to carry out an unethical activity, the junior staff members have no option but to follow the decision from their boss. In such organizations, the subordinates are helpless even when they may want to embrace ethical practices because they cannot contradict the boss. Due to fear of losing their jobs, most subordinates will do what is demanded by their superiors irrespective of whether it is ethical or not. For example, if senior officers demand a bribe from a crime suspect in law enforcement, there is little that the junior officers can do due to the fear of losing their jobs.
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Although it is hard to design organizations without creating a hierarchy, the organizations should be flexible in some processes to promote ethical behavior (Mangundjaya & AMIR, 2021). For example, the process of firing staff members should be transparent enough to ensure junior staff members are not intimidated to embrace unethical actions. The firing of individuals should not be left to one manager, but it can involve a committee that is unlikely to be biased.
According to Sanders (2020), Kohlberg's moral stages, both Badpenny and Dreadford are in the universal principles stage. After Dreadford narrates the story of how he ended up in prison, Badpenny appears to believe that her lover was not treated fairly and goes ahead even to share confidential information despite knowing it is illegal. Badpenny appears to be going against her work's expectations to support her lover, who she feels was not treated fairly by being sent to jail. On the other hand, Dreadford disagrees with the decision that sent him to jail and is adamant that a dirty cop set him up.
References
Mangundjaya, W. L., & AMIR, M. T. (2021). Testing Resilience and Work Ethics as Mediators between Charismatic Leadership and Affective Commitment to Change. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics, and Business , 8 (2), 401-410.
Sanders, C. E. (2020). Lawrence Kohlberg’s stages of moral development psychology. Encyclopedia Britannica .
