Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

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CREDO

We believe in the discovering, sharing and applying of managerial knowledge.

PREAMBLE

Our professional goals are to enhance the learning or students, colleagues and others and to improve the effectiveness or organizations through our teaching, research and practice of management. We have five major responsibilities:

* To our Students­Relationships with students require respect, fairness, and caring, along with recognition of our commitment to the subject matter and to teaching excellence.

* To managerial knowledge­Prudence in research design, human subject use, confidentiality, result reporting, and proper attribution of work is a necessity.

* To the Academy of Management and the larger professional environment­Support of the Academy's mission and objectives, service to the Academy and our institutions, and the recognition of the dignity and personal worth of colleagues is required.

* To both managers and the practice of management­Exchange of ideas and information between the academic and organizational communities is essential.

* To all people with whom we live and work In the world community­Sensitivity to other people, to diverse cultures, to the needs of the poor and disadvantaged, to ethical issues, and to newly emerging ethical dilemmas is required.

STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS

In our roles as educators, the central principles that underlie appropriate student­educator relationships are professionalism, respect, fairness and concern.

Striving for teaching excellence: It is the duty of Academy members who are educators to prepare themselves carefully. Maintenance of current knowledge in the field requires a broad understanding of management theories, research and practice, and use of current classroom materials. Educators should have or develop expertise in the areas in which they teach. Effective teaching requires sufficient time allocated to preparation, clear classroom communication, timely grading and a willingness to provide an explanation of a student's grade. Educators should act as role models in their relationships. They should also sensitize students to the ethical dimensions of management. In addition, educators have an obligation to present material without conscious bias and to make their own relevant biases known to their students. Educators should attempt to evaluate their teaching through some appropriate outcome assessment method which goes beyond concept retention.

Showing respect for students: It is the duty of Academy members who are educators to show appropriate respect for student feelings, interests, needs, contributions, and intellectual freedom. Students' right to privacy requires maintaining the confidentiality of academic records and private communications, unless disclosure is mandated by law, institutional policy or morally compelling purpose. Educators must avoid manipulation, coercion or exploitation of students (especially acts directed at securing monetary, ego or sexual gratification) and should demonstrate a sensitivity to cultural and personal diversity by avoiding racial, sexual, religious and ethnic discrimination.

Maintenance of objectivity and fairness: It is the duty of Academy members who are educators to treat students equitably. Fair treatment of students requires explicitly explaining and adhering to academic requirements and standards. Any subsequent change in these requirements or standards, either of the institution or in an individual course, should appropriately recognize the impact on students. Impartiality, objectivity and fairness are required in all dealings with students. Examinations should be carefully prepared and written work graded in an impartial manner. Educators should scrupulously avoid entering any overly personal relationship or accepting any gift or favor which might influence, or appear to influence, an objective evaluation of a student's work. Appropriate evaluation of student performance requires test design, assignments and testing conditions which minimize the possibility of academic misconduct. It is the educator's responsibility to pursue appropriate disciplinary action.

Counseling of students: It is the duty of Academy members to be helpful and sensitive in counseling students. When serving as academic advisors, members must be knowledgeable about academic requirements and should communicate these clearly and fully to advisees. Educators may play critical roles in a variety of counseling situations. This requires careful analysis of the student and situation and calls for special expertise and competence. Counseling advice should be identified as an expression of the member's own opinion. Letters of recommendation require candor and fairness. Members should not make insupportable statements nor fail to disclose material facts.

ADVANCEMENT OF MANAGERIAL KNOWLEDGE

Academy member research should be done honestly, have a clear purpose, show respect for the rights of all Individuals and organizations, efficiently use resources, and advance knowledge in the field.

Conducting and reporting: It is the duty of Academy members conducting research to design, implement, analyze, report and present their findings rigorously. Research rigor includes careful design, execution, analysis, interpretation of results and retention of data. Presentation of research should fairly represent the relevant literature and should include a treatment of the data that is honest and that reveals both strengths and weaknesses of findings. When important alternate hypotheses or explanations exist, they should be noted and data that disconfirm hypotheses should be acknowledged. Authorship and credit should be shared in correct proportion to the various parties' contributions. Whether published or not, ideas or concepts derived from others should be acknowledged, as should advice and assistance received. Many management­related journals have policies prohibiting or restricting potential articles from being reviewed concurrently in other outlets. These policies should be closely observed or there should be explicit discussion with the relevant journal editors concerning the intended multiple submissions. More than one report of essentially the same data and results should not be published unless the reports are explicitly directed to different audiences through different types of outlets. When several separate but related reports result from a single study, the existence of the different reports should be made known to the relevant journal editors and the reports should reference each other. Reviewer comments should be considered thoughtfully before a manuscript is submitted to a different journal.

Participants: It is the duty of Academy members to preserve and protect the privacy, dignity, well being and freedom of research participants. This requires both careful research design and informed consent from all participants. Risks and the possibility of harm to research participants must be carefully considered and, to the extent possible, be minimized. When there is a degree of risk or potential harm inherent in the research, potential participants­organizations as well as individuals­must be informed. Informed consent means explaining to potential participants the purposes and nature of the research so they can freely choose whether or not to become involved. Such explanations include warning of possible harm and providing explicit opportunities to refuse to participate and to terminate participation at any time. Because students and employees are particularly subject to possible coercion, even when unintended, special care must be taken in obtaining their informed consent. Third party review is one means of protecting the interests Of research participants. Research plans involving human participants should be reviewed by an appropriate third party, such as a university human subjects committee or a focus group of potential participants. Confidentiality and/or anonymity questions must be resolved between researcher and potential research participants, both individuals and organizations, and when requested must be honored. Deception should be minimized and, when necessary, the degree and effects must be mitigated as much as possible. Researchers should carefully weigh the gains achieved against the cost in human dignity. To the extent that concealment and/or deception is necessary, the researcher must provide a full and accurate explanation to participants at the conclusion of the study, including counseling, if appropriate.

Dissemination: It is the duty of journal editors and reviewers to exercise their position of privilege in a confidential, unbiased, prompt, constructive and sensitive manner. They have a duty to judge manuscripts only on their scholarly merits. Conflicts of interest may arise when a reviewer is in basic disagreement with the research approach or the line of research represented by a manuscript. In such cases, a reviewer should consult with the journal editor to decide whether to accept or decline to review the manuscript. Protecting intellectual property is a responsibility of the reviewer and the editor. The content of a manuscript is the property of its author(s). It is therefore inappropriate to use ideas or show another person a manuscript one has been asked to review, without the explicit permission of its author, obtained through the journal editor. Advice regarding specific, limited aspects of the manuscript may be sought from qualified colleagues so long as the author's intellectual property remains secure. Sharing of reviewing responsibilities is inappropriate. The review is the sole responsibility of the person to whom it was assigned by the journal editor. In particular, students and colleagues should not be asked to prepare reviews unless the journal's editor has given explicit approval. Anyone contributing to a review should receive formal recognition. Constructive review means providing critiques and comments in a spirit of collegiality with thoroughness, timeliness, compassion, and respect, and in ways intended to improve the quality of the manuscript.

Grants and contracts: It is the duty of Academy members to accurately represent themselves and their proposed projects and to manage those Projects as promised. Representation means accurate disclosure of one's level of expertise and expected actual involvement, the outcomes that can be reasonably expected, the realistic funding level needed, and potential conflicts of interest. Grant and contract management requires independence and objectivity such that one does not compromise one's responsibilities or create conflicts of interest. One must also manage time and budget responsibly and use the funds as promised unless permission is explicitly granted to do otherwise.

The professional environment for many Academy members includes the university community. The central values which underlie appropriate university participation are understanding, involvement, respect, fairness and the pursuit of knowledge.

Participation in university leadership: Professors should take an active interest in university governance. Professors should be aware of university policies that affect the dissemination of knowledge and be involved in the development of such policies. Professors should endeavor to positively influence policies relating to the quality of education and service to students. Active organizational involvement requires exercise of personal voting rights and respect for such rights of others, without regard to rank or tenure. Professors should evaluate colleagues for purposes of promotion and/or tenure on the basis of appropriate Academic criteria fairly weighted in accordance with standards understood by the faculty and communicated to the subject of the evaluation. It is the duty of Academy members to treat their colleagues with respect and fairness. Members should safeguard confidential personnel matters and avoid disclosing opinions expressed, attribution of statements, voting behavior and outcomes. Members should address misunderstandings and conflicts with those directly involved and avoid speculative criticism that might damage the reputations of individuals or groups. When speaking or acting outside their university role, professors should avoid creating the impression that they are speaking or acting for their university and/or its administration. Professors should dispose of complimentary books requested from publishers by a manner other than sale.

All Academy members, whether affiliated with a university, business, governmental, service or consulting organization have an obligation to interact with others In a professional manner.

Membership in the professional community: it is the duty of Academy members to interact with others in our community in a manner that recognizes individual dignity and merit. The responsible professional promotes and protects the rights of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, handicap, sex, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, or academic ideology, and refrains from sexual harassment. In the spirit of intellectual inquiry, the professional should welcome suggestions and complaints openly without reprisal Members should ensure that outside activities do not significantly diminish their availability and energy to meet their institutional obligations.

THE ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT AND THE LARGER PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT

The Mission Statement of the Academy describes member benefits and professional opportunities which Impose corresponding duties and service responsibilities.

Sharing and dissemination of in formation: To encourage meaningful exchange, Academy members should foster a climate of free interchange and constructive criticism within the Academy and be willing to share research findings and insights fully with other members.

Academy participation: The Academy is a voluntary association whose existence and operations are dependent on cooperation, involvement, and leadership from its members. Members should abide by the Constitution, By Laws, policies and codes of the Academy. Members should consider offering their time and talent to carry out activities necessary to maintain the Academy and its functions. Officers and members should fulfill their Academy obligations and responsibilities in a timely, diligent and sensitive manner, without regard to friendships or personal gain. Members should honor all professional meeting commitments including presentation of accepted papers and participation in scheduled roles as chair, discussant or panel member. Where absence from scheduled meeting responsibilities is unavoidable, members must contact appropriate individuals and pursue suitable alternative arrangements. One should consider the impact one's projects or activities may have on the integrity or reputation of the Academy and not engage in those which may have possible negative implications. Members should not imply that their work is sanctioned by the Academy unless an appropriate Academy body has specifically done so.

Commitment to Professional standards of conduct: By this Code, the Academy provides ongoing ethical guidance for its members. Members should work to raise membership consciousness concerning ethical responsibilities and encourage acceptance of these responsibilities. Members should notify appropriate Academy officers or committees of the practices or actions of members which they feel may violate Academy regulations or general standards of ethical conduct. In this manner, the aspirational and educational goals of this code are served through discussion of the ethical dilemmas and values of our profession.

Strengthening and renewal of the Academy: The Academy of Management must have continuous infusions of people and new points of view to remain viable and relevant as a professional association. Members may contribute to this infusion by encouraging participation in the Academy by all eligible individuals, and by assisting new and prospective members to develop their skills and knowledge, and their understanding of their professional obligations.

MANAGERS AND THE PRACTICE OF MANAGEMENT

Consulting with client organizations ("clients") has the potential for enriching the teaching and practice of management, for translating theory into practice, and for furthering research and community service. To maximize such potential benefits, it is essential that members who consult be guided by the ideals of competence, integrity, and objectivity.

Credentials and capabilities: It is the duty of consultants to represent their credentials and capabilities in an accurate and objective manner. Consultants shall accept only those assignments for which they have appropriate expertise. Consultants shall refrain from exaggerating their professional qualifications to secure prospective assignments. Consultants shall examine any factors (e.g.. prior experience, capabilities, other commitments) that might limit their judgment or objectivity in carrying out an assignment. University endorsement of the consulting activities of Academy members employed by academic institutions should not be represented or implied to potential clients unless the assignment is formally under university sponsorship or is so approved.

Obligations to clients: Consultants have a duty to fulfill their obligations to their present and prospective clients in a professionally

responsible and timely manner. Consultants shall place the highest possible priority on their clients' interests. Consultants shall avoid or withdraw from situations in which their clients' interests come into serious conflict with their own. Consultants shall not serve two or more competing clients without the consent of all parties. Consultants shall fully inform their clients. This means presenting results and/or advice in an unbiased manner, and discussing fully with the client the values, risks, and limitations of the recommendations.

Client relations: Consultants must fulfill duties of confidentiality and efficiency as part of the relationship with their clients. Consultants shall maintain confidentiality with respect to their clients' identities and the assignments undertaken unless granted permission by the client. Consultants should exercise concern for the protection of client employees and other stakeholders by maintaining, in particular, appropriate confidentiality. Consultants shall not take personal or financial advantage of confidential information acquired as a result of their professional relationships, nor shall they provide the basis upon which others may take such advantage. Consultants should meet their time commitments and conserve the resources utilized.

Remuneration: It is the duty of consultants to negotiate clear and mutually accepted remuneration agreements for their services. Consultants shall provide a realistic estimate of the fees to be charged in advance of assignments. Fees charged shall be commensurate with the services performed.

Societal responsibilities: Consultants have a duty to uphold the legal and moral obligations of the society in which they function. Consultants should report to the appropriate authorities any unlawful activities that may have been uncovered during the course of engagements (except where one's functional professional code directs otherwise).

Students and employees: It is the duty of the consultant to safeguard student and employee rights when they are involved in consulting assignments. Consultants may involve students in work generated by engagements, especially if such work possesses learning potential, but students must not be coerced into participation. When they are so involved, students, as well as employees, should be fairly compensated and be made aware of the nature of the work they are doing.

THE WORLD COMMUNITY

As citizens of the world community, Academy members may have much to contribute in shaping global consciousness by their teaching, research and service.

World view: Academy members have a duty to consider their responsibilities to the world community. In their role as educators, members of the Academy can play a vital role in encouraging a broader horizon for decision making, viewing issues from a multiplicity of perspectives, including those of the least advantaged. As researchers, members of the Academy should consider, where appropriate, increasing their exposure to other cultures via travel, study and research. Where appropriate, research might highlight the responsible stewardship of the Earth's resources. In addition, members should take as a challenge the ongoing task of identifying evolving ethical issues by listening to those whose welfare is affected and by exploring the interaction of people and technology. In fulfilling their service responsibilities members of the Academy should consider how they might lend their time and talent to enhance the world community through involvement in uncompensated public service.