Ethical Engineering: Definitions, Theories and Techniques - Ethical Engineering for International Development and Environmental Sustainability - page 45

Win-win methods include the following:

1. Mutual gain negotiation in which there are suffi cient benefi ts on both/all sides to
agree a deal. Ethical issues can be included, if they are part of the agenda of one
party, without being mentioned explicitly.
2. Persuasion in which you use language and/or illustrations to convince the other
parties to do something. People can be persuaded not to behave unethically by
the fear of getting caught, the benefi ts of the ethical conduct or the disadvantages
of the unethical behaviour, in addition to consideration of the value of ethics.
3. Minimal peaceful coexistence negotiation in which you negotiate an improvement
of a bad situation rather than mutual gains.

Both win-win and win-lose methods can be effective in encouraging ethical
behaviour, but without leading to any learning, changes in values or greater under-
standing of ethics. They are likely to lead to results more quickly than double- and
triple-loop methods. Win-win behaviour may result in better relationships and lead
to productive cooperation and could therefore give more scope for learning and
changes in values through the subsequent application of double-loop dialogue
methods. However, win-win approaches can result in learning for people who learn
through doing. Bottom-up forcing is appropriate when you are aware of unethical
behaviour and fi nd it unlikely that any other way of doing something about it will be
effective. I consider the other win-lose methods to be ethically questionable and that
it is preferable not to use them.

3.5.3 Double-Loop Action Learning

Double-loop methods are generally based on dialogue. They can be used to develop
or maintain an ethical organisational culture and can sometimes lead to the adoption
of ethical values. They can sometimes have win-win outcomes, though this is not
the (main) aim. They are appropriate when there is misunderstanding or lack of
knowledge about what is ethical in addition to unethical behaviour, but should not
be applied when the problem is purely unethical behaviour. They are also unlikely
to work in environments which discourage dialogue and/or where there is pervasive
low-level pressure to behave unethically. Double-loop dialogue methods include (1)
Socratic iterative dialogue, (2) action-science dialogue and (3) action-inquiry
dialogue.
Socratic iterative dialogue consists of the following four parts which are carried
out sequentially:

1. An initial respectful and friendly approach.
2. The facilitator asks the other participants for a potential solution and helps them
consider its advantages.