AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROFESSIONAL ETHICS REQUIRED OF OFFICE MANAGERS IN A CHANGING OFFICE ENVIRONMENT, A STUDY OF COCA-COLA COMPANY LAGOS STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

In recent decades, there has been a major evolution in the function of office managers due to changes in workplace culture, organisational structure, and technology advancements. workplace managers used to be mostly in charge of handling administrative duties and making sure that everything ran well in the workplace. But the duties of an office manager now cover a wider range of activities, such as strategic planning, ethical governance, and leadership (Derven, 2016). The workplace atmosphere has been significantly impacted by technological improvements. Conventional office operations have changed as a result of the integration of digital tools, automation, and remote work technology. Although these modifications have improved productivity and connectedness, they have also brought out new moral dilemmas. Office managers now have to deal with concerns about cybersecurity, data privacy, and responsible technology use. In the digital age, for example, safeguarding private communications online and shielding personal data from online attacks are crucial ethical considerations (Smith & Rupp, 2022). The function of office managers has also been impacted by the growth of organisational structures. Flat or matrix structures are popular in modern organisations as a way to improve flexibility and teamwork. Office managers must manage intricate connections and uphold moral principles among many teams and departments in these systems. The transition from hierarchical to more decentralised management structures highlights the importance of moral leadership and judgement (Drucker, 2017). Significant changes have occurred in workplace culture, especially with the growing focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI). These days, office managers are supposed to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere that honours and respects a range of viewpoints. This transition in culture necessitates a profound comprehension of moral precepts pertaining to equity, dignity, and nondiscrimination. Office managers now need to modify how they manage and support a distributed workforce due to the growing prevalence of remote work and flexible work schedules, which has further complicated the ethical environment (Gurchiek, 2020). An office manager's behaviour and decision-making are governed by a set of norms and principles known as professional ethics. Accountability, openness, privacy, and equity are a few of them. Office managers are held accountable for their decisions and actions by accountability, while openness and honesty in communication are encouraged by transparency. Fairness necessitates treating every employee equally, and confidentiality entails safeguarding sensitive information (Ferrell & Fraedrich, 2015). There are several ethical difficulties in the dynamic modern working setting. Office managers frequently have to weigh conflicting interests and make tough choices that have an impact on several stakeholders. They might have to deal with issues with employee privacy, resource allocation, and dispute resolution, for instance. Furthermore, the pressure to meet organisational objectives might occasionally result in moral concessions, underscoring the necessity of having a solid ethical basis and precise policies (Koh, 2022). Establishing an ethical corporate culture requires ethical leadership. Ethics-conscious office managers foster a culture of honesty and provide a good example for their staff. In addition to upholding moral principles, ethical leadership entails aggressively advancing moral behaviour and combating unethical actions. According to Brown and Treviño (2016), staying up to date on emerging ethical challenges and best practices necessitates ongoing education and training. Although office managers understand the value of professional ethics, there is a dearth of thorough study that focusses on the ethical issues and practices in the context of an evolving workplace. Without offering an integrated study of the distinct ethical environment that office managers face today, the majority of previous studies either address general managing ethics or concentrate on particular ethical challenges (Ciulla, 2015). By investigating how office managers see and apply professional ethics in the context of changing workplace dynamics, this research seeks to close this gap. Therefore, the researcher sought to investigate professional ethics required of office managers in a changing office environment, a study of Coca-Cola company Lagos.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Organisational structures, cultural conventions, and technical breakthroughs are all contributing to the fast evolution of the modern office environment. Office managers now face several obstacles in navigating diverse ethical environments while upholding organisational integrity and professional standards (Ciulla, 2015). Office managers need to uphold professional ethics, which include values like responsibility, openness, discretion, and equity, in order to properly lead and oversee their staff. Professional ethics are very important, yet there is a noticeable lack of knowledge about how office managers apply and uphold these values in the face of a changing workplace (Ciulla, 2015). There is little thorough study on the ethical issues particular to office managers in the middle of these changes; most studies concentrate on broad managerial ethics or particular facets of office management. Hence, the study investigates the professional ethics required of office managers in a changing office environment, a study of Coca-Cola company Lagos.

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to investigate the professional ethics required of office managers in a changing office environment, a study of coca-cola company Lagos. The specific objectives is as follows

To identify the ethical principles that are essential for office managers in contemporary office environments.

To evaluate whether technological advancements influences the ethical responsibilities of office managers

To examine the ethical challenges faced by office managers in a changing office environment

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared to guide the study

What are the ethical principles that are essential for office managers in contemporary office environments.

Does technological advancements influences the ethical responsibilities of office managers?

What are the ethical challenges faced by office managers in a changing office environment?

1.5 Significance of the study

Business organization: Ethical leadership and managerial behavior significantly influence the organizational climate and workplace culture. Office managers who uphold ethical principles create a supportive work environment characterized by fairness, transparency, and respect. This promotes employee morale, engagement, and productivity. Moreover, a positive work environment reduces turnover rates, attracts talent, and fosters collaboration among team members. By studying the ethical challenges faced by office managers, organizations can implement practices that nurture a culture of trust and accountability, benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

Academia: findings of the study will be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to existing literature, add to library resources and serve as a guide to future researchers.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study focus on professional ethics required of office managers in a changing office environment, a study of coca-cola company Lagos.  Empirically,  the study will  identify the ethical principles that are essential for office managers in contemporary office environments, evaluate whether technological advancements influences the ethical responsibilities of office managers and  examine the ethical challenges faced by office managers in a changing office environment. 

Geographically, the study is delimited to  Coca-Cola company Lagos

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint are: 

Time: The researcher encountered time constraint as the researcher had to carry out this research along side other academic activities such as attending lectures and other educational activities required of her.

Finance: The researcher incurred more financial expenses in carrying out this study such as typesetting, printing, sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process.

Availability of Materials: The researcher encountered challenges in sourcing for literature in this study. The scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse was a limitation to this study.

1.8 Definition of terms

Professional Ethics: A set of principles and standards that govern the behavior and decision-making processes of professionals in their respective fields. For office managers, this includes accountability, transparency, confidentiality, and fairness .

Office Manager: An individual responsible for overseeing the daily operations of an office, including administrative tasks, staff supervision, and ensuring efficient office functions. Their role has expanded to include leadership, strategic planning, and ethical governance.

Changing Office Environment: The dynamic and evolving nature of office settings influenced by technological advancements, shifts in organizational structures, and changes in workplace culture. This encompasses the integration of digital tools, remote work, and new management models .

Ethical Dilemma: A situation in which an individual must choose between two or more conflicting ethical principles or values, often involving complex decision-making where the right course of action is not immediately clear .

Accountability: The obligation of office managers to take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and their consequences. This includes being answerable to stakeholders and maintaining integrity in their professional conduct.

Transparency: The practice of being open, honest, and clear in communication and operations. For office managers, transparency involves providing stakeholders with accurate information and ensuring that processes are visible and understandable .

Confidentiality: The ethical principle of protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure. Office managers must ensure that personal and organizational information is kept secure and shared only with those who have legitimate access.

Fairness: The principle of treating all individuals equitably and justly, without favoritism or bias. Office managers are responsible for ensuring that policies and practices are applied consistently and fairly to all employees .

Technological Advancements: Innovations and developments in technology that affect how office tasks are performed. This includes the adoption of digital tools, automation, and remote work technologies, which impact the ethical responsibilities of office managers.

Workplace Culture: The shared values, beliefs, and practices within an organization that influence how employees interact and work together. Changes in workplace culture, such as an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), affect the ethical landscape for office managers.

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