The Meaning of Professional Ethics

               Professional ethics designate the moral values that a group of similarly trained people develop to control their performance of a task or their use of resources. People internalise the rules and values of their professional culture just as they do those of their society. They reflexively adhere to professional rules and values when deciding on how to behave.

         Some organisations have many groups of professional employees   nurses, lawyers, researchers, doctors and accountants   whose behaviour is governed by professional ethics. Professional ethics help shape the organisation. As culture and determine the values its members use in their dealings with other stakeholders. Most professional groups are allowed to enforce the ethical standards of their profession. Doctors and lawyers for instance, can be banned from practising if they violate their professional rules.


A. Family Influences
Individuals start to form ethical standards as children in response to their perception of their parents behaviours. Children are more likely to adopt high ethical standards if they see that their family members adhere to high standards (such as being truthful) and if they receive rewards for conforming, and punishment for not conforming, to these standards. If family members engage in unethical behaviours (such as being untruthful) and allow their children to do the same, then the latter is likely to develop lower ethical standards.


B. Peer Influences
When children enter school, they are influenced by peers with whom they interact every day. For example, if a child's friends engage in shoplifting, vandalism or drug abuse, the child too, may decide to do the same. Conversely, if the child's peers have higher ethical standards and reject the said behaviours, he is likely to adopt these standards.


C.Life Experiences
Dozens of important events, both positive and negative, shape people's lives and influence their ethical beliefs and behaviour. These events are a part of growing up and maturing. For example, a person who steals something and does not get caught may feel no remorse and continue to steal. However, a person who is caught stealing may feel guilty enough to revise his ethical standards and not steal in the future.

D. Personal Values and Morals
Values and morals also influence a person's ethical standards. For instance, a person who places financial gain and personal advancement at the top of his list of priorities will adopt a personal code of ethics that promotes the pursuit of wealth. Thus he may be ruthless in attempting to gain these rewards regardless of the cost to others. A person who puts his family at the top of his priority list will adopt different ethical standards.

E. Situational Factors
The final determinant of an individual's ethics is situational factors. Sometimes, people unexpectedly find themselves in situations that cause them to act against their better judgement. For example, some people who
cheat on their expenses accounts do so because of personal financial difficulties. Although this does not justify their dishonesty, it does provide some context for understanding why people may sometimes behave unethically if they have no other choice.