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Ethics as a Fabric: An Emotional Reflexive Sensemaking Process

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2019

Pauline Fatien Diochon Open the ORCID record for Pauline Fatien Diochon [Opens in a new window]  and
Jean Nizet
Pauline Fatien Diochon
Affiliation:
SKEMA Business School, Université Côte d’Azur
Jean Nizet
Affiliation:
Namur University Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve
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Abstract:

The ethical sensemaking approach stands as an essential alternative to the dominant rational and objectivist paradigm of ethical decision-making in organizations. From this perspective, this research explores the intrapersonal interplay of emotions and reflexivity in ethical sensemaking. We analyzed thirty-seven semi-structured interviews conducted with executive coaches sharing a critical incident about an issue they framed as ethical. Our findings show that their ethical decisions unfolded over a three-phase emotional reflexive sensemaking process, where reflexivity allowed for the management of emotions in the form of emotional awareness, emotional unpacking, and emotional (dis)engagement. Therefore, we portray ethics as a fabric, produced through the knitting of emotions and reflexivity. And, while ethics certainly appear to be produced by the subject, we suggest a reciprocal relationship, whereby the very fabric of ethics contributes to the production of the ethical subject.

Keywords

emotionsethical challengesexecutive coachingreflexivitysensemaking
Type
Article
Information
Business Ethics Quarterly , Volume 29 , Issue 4 , October 2019 , pp. 461 - 489
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Business Ethics 2019 

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