Multiplicity of cognitive frameworks for ethical decision making: Variability across gender and age group

A moral judgment is a considered opinion of what ought to be done (i.e., a decision about the morally right thing to do) when confronted with an ethical dilemma Ethical ideologies or frameworks have been studied to identify the underlying reasoning of an individual in making decisions in a situation of ethical dilemma. Western philosophers and thinkers have identified a variety of frameworks that have been explored in the context of business. The present work explores some of the ethical ideologies/frameworks identified in the Indian philosophical systems along with western frameworks, and tests their use by the Indian managers. Three hundred and nineteen managers formed the sample for the study. Two ethical ideologies (Moksh and Karma) rooted in Indian ethical philosophies were juxtaposed with other more universal ones. Further, difference in the use of these frameworks was tested for the two genders and two age groups. Results indicate that Indian managers use both, the Indian as well as the universal (western) philosophies. There were some gender and age-group related differences in the use of the frameworks. Implications of the findings are discussed. The results indicate flexibility in the use of these multiple frameworks.