Values and Diversity of Organisational Work Ethicality: Lessons Learnt from Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs

Abstract

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The aim o f this paper is to examine values as a component o f organisational work ethicality, uncovering the contextual realities o f values and explore the diversity o f work ethicality in the entrepreneurial context in Sri Lanka. Organisational work ethicality is explained through egoistic work ethicality, utilitarian work ethicality and deontological work ethicality. With a view to get a deeper understanding o f the diversity o f organisational work ethicality, a qualitative approach is adopted. Twelve entrepreneurs were selected for in-depth interviews. A thematic analysis was carried out for field notes with the support ofNVivo 6 version. Findings o f this study reveal that the entrepreneurial thinking and their interpretations derived different social meanings o f organisational work ethicality. The final outcome shows that rather than single dominant work ethicality, a combination o f work ethicalities was preferred by most o f the entrepreneurs. Within this mix o f ethicalities, deontological ethicality and egoistic work ethicality seem to be equally practised by the entrepreneurs. The utilitarian ethicality seems to be practised at a minimum level. As a result, the implicational value o f this study lies on at the organisational level and policy making level to rethink and reestablish a mechanism to improve ethical aspects o f the businesses in order to maximise social well-being while doing the right things fo r the society and strengthening shareholders ’protection.