Business Ethics Assignment

“Kohlberg Moral
development
Stages”

Submitted By:
Rohini Dusane

Roll No: 17

Kohlberg Moral development

KOHLBERG'S SIX STAGES

Level 1. Preconventional Morality

Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment Orientation:-

FOR INSTANCE:

In case of an Adult going to High- school he will be following the rule of those institute. Obeying the
rules prescribed by the institute is important for him because it will avoid any sort of punishment such
as dismissal from the institute.

For a newly joined employee, obeying the company rules say for eg., working from 9-6 in a government
organization is a mandate in order to avoid any punishment or dismissal from his employment during
his/her probation period.

For a new it is important to be obedient and follow the rules of society in which it is doing business in
order to avoid any ethical dilemma.

Stage 2 - Individualism and Exchange

Respondents at stage 2 are still said to reason at the pre-conventional level because they speak as
isolated individuals rather than as members of society. They see individuals exchanging favors, but there
is still no identification with the values of the family or community.

In case of a private firm their timing may be to working as and when needed. For instance., Media and
advertising firm want their employees to work till 12 am many a times as their industry and work
demands to do so.

Level II. Conventional Morality

Stage 3. Good Interpersonal Relationships:

Companies try to obey and follow rules as prescribed by the government because they feel it is good to
do so.

For example many manufacturing companies try to confirm to ISO standards in order to protect the
environment. Companies like HPCL, IOCL, ONGC, BPCL try to confirm to the environment standards.

Stage 4: Authority and social-order-maintaining morality

Companies obey and follow government rules as they feel it will help them to build a good image.
Toyota motors, Tata Steel, IOCL, HPCL, BPCL are all ISO certified companies.

LEVEL 3: POST-CONVENTIONAL MORALITY:

Stage 5: Social contract morality.

At stage 5, people begin to ask, "What makes for a good society?" They begin to think about society in a
very theoretical way, stepping back from their own society and considering the rights and values that a
society ought to uphold. They then evaluate existing societies in terms of these prior considerations.

Satyam was not following proper corporate governance and window dressed its financial statements for
several years. But then when SEBI investigated, Satyam’s CEO had to surrender.

ITC was initially into making cigarettes but then after diversification it undertook many CSR activities like
helping the village farmers, helping poor children to learn, etc

Stage 6: Universal ethical principles

At stage 6, in contrast, a commitment to justice makes the rationale for civil disobedience stronger and
broader.

Companies like TATA, Infosys follow proper corporate governance laws