Ethical Considerations in Sport Management. Today’s Lecture Critical Thinking – A Review Critical Thinking – A Review Values Values Ethical Theories/Maxims.

Ethical Ethical Considerations in Considerations in Sport ManagementSport Management

Today’s LectureToday’s LectureCritical Thinking – A ReviewCritical Thinking – A ReviewValuesValuesEthical Theories/MaximsEthical Theories/MaximsEthics and the LawEthics and the LawEthics and Decision MakingEthics and Decision MakingEthics in Today’s Sports WorldEthics in Today’s Sports WorldEthics and Sport ManagersEthics and Sport ManagersAssignment QuestionAssignment Question

Critical Thinking – A Critical Thinking – A ReviewReview

1. Systematic evaluation of arguments1. Systematic evaluation of arguments

2. Rational Approach2. Rational Approach

3. Movement toward improved 3. Movement toward improved decisions/opinions/judgementsdecisions/opinions/judgements

““Critical thinkers care more about getting it Critical thinkers care more about getting it rightright

than being right”than being right”

Critical Thinking – So What?Critical Thinking – So What?

Critical thinking is based on values. Critical thinking is based on values. You You

must simultaneously have conscious must simultaneously have conscious

reflection of reflection of personal valuespersonal values and and

recognition of recognition of conflicting valuesconflicting values..

What is a Value?What is a Value?

ValuesValues

A value is a deeply held idea of what is A value is a deeply held idea of what is desirable, something worth having or desirable, something worth having or believing. Values motivate us.believing. Values motivate us.

So, what is Ethical Behaviour?So, what is Ethical Behaviour?

This is the action that we take that is This is the action that we take that is basedbased

upon our values.upon our values.

Ethical TheoriesEthical Theories

evaluating the morality of actions or inaction on evaluating the morality of actions or inaction on the basis of results or consequences (results-the basis of results or consequences (results-oriented approach)oriented approach)

Rules, values, policies and beliefs that are Rules, values, policies and beliefs that are assumed to be correct by the majority of people; assumed to be correct by the majority of people; demonstrates respect for individual human demonstrates respect for individual human

beingsbeings

Gather the Facts for a DecisionGather the Facts for a Decision

Is the action acceptable?Is the action acceptable?

1.1. Utility – Does it optimize benefits?Utility – Does it optimize benefits?

2.2. Rights – Does it respect the rights Rights – Does it respect the rights of those involved?of those involved?

3.3. Justice – Is the action fair?Justice – Is the action fair?

No to allNo to

one or twoYes to All

Are there any overriding factors?

Action is Unethical Action is Ethical

No Yes

Ethical Maxims to Guide Ethical Maxims to Guide Decision MakingDecision Making

The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would want done to yourself”you would want done to yourself”

The Utilitarian Principle: “Greatest good The Utilitarian Principle: “Greatest good for the greatest number of people”for the greatest number of people”

Kant’s Categorical Imperative: “Action Kant’s Categorical Imperative: “Action taken under circumstances could be a taken under circumstances could be a universal law or rule of behaviour”universal law or rule of behaviour”

Ethical Maxims Ethical Maxims (continued)(continued)

The Professional Ethic: “Take actions The Professional Ethic: “Take actions that would be viewed as proper by a that would be viewed as proper by a disinterested panel of professional disinterested panel of professional colleagues”colleagues”

The Television Test: “Would I feel The Television Test: “Would I feel comfortable explaining on TV why I comfortable explaining on TV why I took this action?”took this action?”

The LawThe Law

The law represents a “body of rules of The law represents a “body of rules of

action or conduct prescribed by action or conduct prescribed by controllingcontrolling

authority and having binding legal authority and having binding legal force.” force.”

The law is an accumulation of rules The law is an accumulation of rules and and

regulations that govern our behaviour.regulations that govern our behaviour.Many people think that what is legal is ethical. But this is not always the case…..

Henderson (1982)Henderson (1982)

Quadrant IIQuadrant II Quadrant IQuadrant I

Quadrant IVQuadrant IV Quadrant IIIQuadrant III

Ethical

Unethical

Illegal Legal

Ethics versus MoralsEthics versus Morals

According to Parks and Quarterman:According to Parks and Quarterman:

Ethics are theoretically based whereas Ethics are theoretically based whereas morals are of a more practical nature.morals are of a more practical nature.

For example, “Do not steal” is a moral, butFor example, “Do not steal” is a moral, butwhat if your family is starving and the only what if your family is starving and the only

way to way to eat is to steal a loaf of brad. This is an ethical eat is to steal a loaf of brad. This is an ethical issue.issue.

Decision MakingDecision Making

When making decisions, sport When making decisions, sport managers managers

must consider:must consider:What is best for the companyWhat is best for the companyWhat is “good business”What is “good business”EthicsEthicsValuesValuesThe LawThe Law

A 7 step process to Ethical A 7 step process to Ethical Decision MakingDecision Making

1.1. Acknowledge that dilemma is Acknowledge that dilemma is ethically ladenethically laden

2.2. Generate AlternativesGenerate Alternatives3.3. Evaluate AlternativesEvaluate Alternatives4.4. Select Ideal AlternativeSelect Ideal Alternative5.5. Intention (what is the intent?)Intention (what is the intent?)6.6. Actual DecisionActual Decision7.7. Evaluate the Actual DecisionEvaluate the Actual Decision

Ethical Situations in SportEthical Situations in Sport

Fighting in hockeyFighting in hockeyDrugs in sports - Using substances that Drugs in sports - Using substances that

are illegal, but not banned in the specific are illegal, but not banned in the specific sport (eg steroids in baseball, marijuana sport (eg steroids in baseball, marijuana in snowboarding, drug testing in tennis) in snowboarding, drug testing in tennis)

MLB umpire’s call in (near) perfect gameMLB umpire’s call in (near) perfect gameAllowing competitors to wear religious Allowing competitors to wear religious

garb while competing (eg turbans, hijabs garb while competing (eg turbans, hijabs [veils])[veils])

Ethical Situations for Sport Ethical Situations for Sport ManagersManagers

Managers in sport organizations are Managers in sport organizations are given tickets to pass along to suppliers as given tickets to pass along to suppliers as a manner to say ‘thank you’. Even after a manner to say ‘thank you’. Even after all suppliers have been given tickets, all suppliers have been given tickets, there are still a number left over. Is it there are still a number left over. Is it unethical to give the extra tickets to unethical to give the extra tickets to family/friends?family/friends?Does your answer change if you knew that if Does your answer change if you knew that if

you gave the tickets back, the seats would go you gave the tickets back, the seats would go unfilled – i.e. the tickets would not be sold?unfilled – i.e. the tickets would not be sold?

Ethical Situations for Sport Ethical Situations for Sport Managers (continued)Managers (continued)

At budget evaluation time, managers At budget evaluation time, managers must check their expenses to ensure must check their expenses to ensure that they have not gone over budget. that they have not gone over budget. Sometimes although the budget Sometimes although the budget balances, managers may go over in balances, managers may go over in some areas and under in others. In some areas and under in others. In order to ensure everything balances, order to ensure everything balances, some managers will list expenses under some managers will list expenses under a different category (as opposed to the a different category (as opposed to the category they belong in). Is this ethical category they belong in). Is this ethical behaviour?behaviour?

Assignment QuestionAssignment Question

To be provided in classTo be provided in class