Logical Relationship Between Individual Values and Decision Making and Action in Organizations

In Management and Morality, Maclagan brings to the reader’s attention the “logical relationship between individual values and decision making and action in organizations.” Although seemingly straightforward, it is important to recognize the dynamics that values contribute to the workplace. Basically, Maclagan is stating that “values are inescapable” and essential drivers for decision making at work. These values are “associated with decision making and conduct in general.” When looking at how values influence an individual’s choices, it is crucial to grasp the origins of a person’s values. Maclagan states that our values are mainly derived from our immediate family and upbringing. In addition, formal education plays a role in developing values and obviously certain life experiences can impact them as well. Values are essential in the workplace because most decisions being made boil down to what is right or wrong, good or bad. This is especially true for people in management positions. Even though most managers would like to believe their decision making is mainly objective, Maclagan points out that every decision is somehow influenced by your values and what your beliefs are. Values are not only critical for the decisions made at work, but also important when looking at where a person works. Values absolutely influence where a person works and often times people search to work for a business that reflects some of the values they hold. Maclagan’s “relationship between individual values and decision making and action in organizations” purposefully describes how values affect the