By Dr Nivisha Parag (Head of Healthcare Management Studies at Regent Business School)

As healthcare becomes more complex and technology advances, it is crucial that leaders in the industry lead ethically to ensure the best possible outcomes for both patients and providers. This means approaching decisions with a focus on transparency, honesty, and fairness. It also involves considering the impact of decisions on all stakeholders involved, from patients to staff to shareholders. Leaders must uphold strong ethical values and hold themselves accountable for their actions and the actions of their teams.

Ethical leaders distinguish themselves from others through their unwavering dedication to upholding robust moral principles and fostering ethical behaviour in every facet of their leadership. The distinguishing behaviours that set these leaders apart encompass:

1. Integrity:  They act ethically, transparently, and truthfully, which earns them trust and credibility from their followers, and aligns their actions with their values.
2. Accountability:  Ethical leaders take responsibility for their actions and decisions; they do not shy away from admitting mistakes and strive to improve and learn from them.
3. Fairness and Justice:  They make decisions based on objective criteria and uphold principles of justice, thus creating an inclusive environment that respects diversity and ensures equal opportunities for all.
4. Empathy and Compassion:  Ethical leaders understand and empathise with the needs and concerns of their followers. They actively listen, show genuine care, and consider the well-being of individuals and the broader community. They foster a supportive and inclusive work culture.
5. Ethical Decision-Making:  They consider the impact of their choices on various stakeholders, including employees, customers, the community, and the environment; frequently weighing ethical implications, seeking multiple perspectives, and making choices that align with their values.
6. Ethical Role Modelling:  They consistently model ethical behaviour and encourage others to follow suit. Mentorship opportunities create platforms for other to see these traits in application in turn resulting in a desire to emulate them.
7. Long-term Orientation:  They consider the broader consequences of their actions and decisions, including their impact on future generations, the environment, and society as a whole.
8. Ethical Organizational Culture: Ethical leaders create and nurture an ethical organisational culture by establishing clear ethical standards, providing ethical guidance, and encouraging open communication surrounding ethical issues. This promotes a culture of ethical conduct and empowers employees to make ethically sound decisions.

An integral component of postgraduate studies is the undertaking of research in a desired field or sector pursuing scientific advancement. As leaders are obliged to demonstrate ethical behaviours, so too is research ethics of paramount importance in the field of scientific inquiry and academic research. It provides a set of guidelines and principles that ensure the protection of participants, maintaining the integrity of research findings, and upholding the trustworthiness and credibility of the research process.

In May 2023, Prof Penelope Engel-Hills was invited to deliver a research ethics masterclass series to enrich and enlighten students and the wider Regent Business School community about the importance of research ethics and integrity. The webinar series spanned four weeks, during which she discussed numerous pertinent ethical principles, including the protection of human subjects to prioritise their well-being, rights, and dignity, through principles of informed consent, protection of personal information and rights to refuse participation. The discussions further included integrity and validity of research, professionalism, trust and collaboration, by exploring the research philosophies and codes of conduct and practice that inform ethics in academic research, including the legal and regulatory compliance around research.

The social and cultural sensitivity of research cannot be understated. Ethical research requires consideration of the social, cultural, and contextual factors that may impact participants and the broader community. Examples presented during the masterclasses highlighted the importance of these considerations. Respecting diversity, cultural norms, and local practices are essential to conduct research in a responsible and ethical manner helping prevent exploitation, marginalisation, and biases in research.

With the lightning speed of digital, industrial and societal revolution, ethical research contributes to the development of innovative solutions, advancements in various fields, and the overall betterment of society.

At Regent Business School, we are committed to sound ethical practices in research and overall leadership study, and by upholding ethical standards, our students and future researchers can contribute to the advancement of knowledge while respecting the rights and well-being of all involved.

In the healthcare management realm especially, ethical leaders must strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others while upholding ethical principles. They inspire trust, foster a sense of purpose, and create environments where individuals can thrive and contribute to the greater good. The purpose-built nature of the Regent Business School MBA in Healthcare Management strives to instil these very principles in our present and future leaders, so that we can we shape a future where ethical leadership and sound research ethics are at the forefront of practice, making a lasting impact on society.

By leading ethically in healthcare, leaders can build trust with their communities, improve patient satisfaction, and create a healthier and more productive work environment for providers. Ultimately, ethical leadership is essential to driving innovation while ensuring that patient care remains at the forefront of every decision made in the healthcare system.

For more information about Regent Business School’s MBA in Healthcare Management please go to https://regent.ac.za/programme/master-of-business-administration-in-healthcare-management

Become future ready by joining one of accredited MBAs, postgraduate qualifications, degrees, diplomas, or higher certificates! All 2023 students will receive a free Management Development Programme valued at R7000. T’s & C’s Apply.

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ABOUT REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL:

REGENT is a Private Higher Education Institution with their headquarters located in the heart of the central business district and the industrial hub of Durban, with learning centres located in Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, East London and Eswatini (in Manzini and Mbabane).

RBS is deeply embedded as a premier private higher education provider in Africa which strives to deliver quality academic programmes that meet recognised academic standards to its students. It does this through ensuring that all REGENT’s programmes are developed internally by its professional team, in consultation with experts from business, and leading academics. The content of programmes is kept relevant and annually reviewed to ensure currency with South African law and International trends.

RBS has developed a series of programmes that are designed to provide individuals and organisations with the management competencies and critical skills necessary to build and sustain competitive advantages in a rapidly changing and complex business environment.

RBS’s expertise has evolved through continuous research and development undertaken in delivering a range of local and international business and management education programmes. REGENT is a proud member of the Honoris United University network.

Vision

To be a leading provider of entrepreneurial, business and management education and to develop business leaders through research and innovation.

Mission

To provide accessible, affordable, and quality entrepreneurial, business and management education, responsive to the critical needs of South Africa and the African continent within the context of a dynamic global environment.

About Honoris United Universities

Honoris United Universities is the first and largest pan-African private higher education network committed to transforming lives through relevant education for lifetime success. Collaborative intelligence, cultural agility and mobile mind-sets are at the heart of the Honoris approach to educate the next generation of leaders and professionals able to impact regionally in a globalized world. Honoris combines the expertise of its member institutions to develop world-class African human talent that is competitive in today’s fast-paced, demanding and increasingly digitized labour and start-up markets.

Honoris comprises a community of 61,000 students on 70 campuses, learning centres and via on-line, in 10 African countries and 32 cities. The network is formed of 15 institutions: multidisciplinary universities, specialized schools, technical and vocational institutes, contact, distance, and online institutions. Students have an opportunity to experience exclusive partnerships and exchange programs in more than 190 universities across Europe, the United States and Asia. Over 420 degrees are offered in Medicine, Health Sciences, Engineering, IT, Business, Law, Architecture, Creative Arts, Fashion and Design, Media, Political Science and Education.

Honoris United Universities. Education for Impact. www.honoris.net