Kate Robinson

Leaders are faced with ethical and moral dilemmas daily, like those within the military who must span from large-scale combat operations to security cooperation and deterrence. For businesses, these dilemmas can include social and environmental impact such as those in mining; and for governments, the social and economic impact of their decision-making in their response to COVID-19. The move by Western defence forces to align their foundational principles, policies, and “soldier” dispositions with the changing values of the countries they serve are starkly illustrative of challenges faced by all leaders. While admirable, such changes face the apparent contradiction of enhancing individual moral agency within a hierarchical organization that maintain enforceable codes of conduct. Ethical leadership theory provides aspirational goals, but lacks empirically based guidance on how to implement policies that facilitate values-based behavior. Using a discourse theory analysis of a moral dilemma vignette with Royal Australian Air Force personnel, this research identifies important aspects of agency and subject position that must be addressed if such policies are to succeed. These findings show that the potential contradiction can be addressed by acknowledging the contrasting tendency to bureaucratic process by leaders at upper levels, while lower-level leaders address moral issues by incorporating their subjectivity and making a conscious deontological choice between humanity and comrade loyalty.

While an understanding of the knowledge which nurses use in practice is rapidly growing there is still much to be learned from exploring the contribution which related disciplines can offer. Since each discipline has its own way of developing its knowledge base it is important for nurses to grasp the underlying manner in which they tackle their work. This book brings together material about many of these disciplines which is normally scattered amongst a wide range of sources. It is presented in a manner which is both accessible and relevant to nursing practice and education. It will help nurses to identify ways in which the knowledge they acquire through study or experience can be used constructively to develop the service they offer patients. The book offers insight into some of the fundamental changes which are occurring in nursing attitudes and thinking. It will provide stimulating reading and discussion material for students on Project 2000, degree and post-registration courses as well as for practitioners who wish to keep at the forefront of a profession which is undergoing continuing and dramatic change.