<b>Leadership Behavior: Ethical Consideration in Decision-Making</b>

<b>Abstract</b>This conceptual paper aims to explore the relationship between a leader’s consideration of ethics in decision – making and the behavior-change of those affected by that decision. I propose that it benefits both the influencer and the influenced when ethics is considered. In making that argument I seek to answer the question I often ask myself, why is it beneficial to consider ethics in decision making when increased revenue is the goal for organizations? In analyzing the findings of a series of published studies found at Google Scholar that examine all aspects of this relationship, this paper applied the utilitarian consequential theory to highlight the most ethical (i.e., has the greatest benefit) responses that emerge from these case study findings. Greek philosopher Epicurus developed the consequential theory to describe the response from acts, such as decision – making, as causing pleasure or pain responses. Philosopher Bentham expanded the consequential theory of pleasure or pain responses from actions to measure the pleasure or pain responses as good or bad (i.e., utilitarian). In conclusion, what the analysis of these 14 case study findings are saying about the benefit of ethical consideration in decision – making by individuals in leadership roles, I hope to create dialogue about the why it benefits them also if ethics in decision – making is considered. Collectively the case studies indicate there are several styles of leaders that consider ethics in decision – making and those that do, benefit along with those influenced by their decisions.

**摘要**
本概念性论文旨在探讨领导者在决策中对伦理的考量，与该决策所影响群体的行为改变之间的关联。本文提出，在决策中纳入伦理考量，对施加影响者与受影响者双方均有益处。为论证这一观点，本文旨在回应我时常自问的问题：当企业以营收增长为目标时，在决策中考量伦理为何仍具有价值？
本文对谷歌学术（Google Scholar）收录的、探讨该关联各维度的一系列已发表研究的结论进行分析，并运用功利主义后果论（utilitarian consequential theory），以凸显本研究案例结果中最具伦理合理性（即能带来最大收益）的应对方案。古希腊哲学家伊壁鸠鲁（Epicurus）创立了后果论，用以将决策等行为所引发的反应描述为带来快乐或痛苦的过程。哲学家边沁（Bentham）则拓展了该后果论框架，将行为引发的快乐或痛苦反应纳入衡量维度，并据此将这类反应划分为善与恶（即功利主义视角）。
综上，通过对这14项案例研究结论的分析，本文梳理了领导者在决策中考量伦理所能带来的益处；本文亦希望借此引发讨论，探讨在决策中纳入伦理考量为何同样能为领导者自身带来价值。综合来看，本研究所纳入的案例表明，存在多种在决策中考量伦理的领导风格，且践行此类伦理决策的领导者，与其决策所影响的群体均能从中获益。