[Organizational ethics: a study in ophthalmologic clinics]

Area of Science:

• Organizational Ethics
• Business Management
• Healthcare Administration

Context:

• Ophthalmologic clinics operate in a highly competitive market.
• Organizational survival is a key driver for businesses.
• The study examines the intersection of ethics and competitiveness in healthcare management.

Purpose:

• To investigate the extent to which ophthalmologic clinics subordinate ethics to competitiveness.
• To analyze the relationship between organizational performance and ethical decision-making.
• To explore the impact of competitive pressures on managerial practices in healthcare.

Summary:

• A quantitative study using Kohlberg's ethical framework and Licht's moral behavior instrument was applied to 41 ophthalmologic clinics.
• Results indicate that higher-performing clinics subordinate ethical principles to competitiveness more than lower-performing ones.
• A significant difference in moral development levels was found between administrators of high- and low-performing clinics.

Impact:

• Findings align with the "paradox of ethical subordination and competitiveness."
• Organizational survival pressures may reduce ethical perception and increase economic disputes.
• The study suggests a need to address the ethical implications of competition in healthcare organizations.