Case Studies in Ethical Decision-Making: Applications in Non-Profit and Development Contexts

Case Studies in Ethical Decision-Making: Applications in Non-Profit and Development Contexts

Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Article | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-eth-ds-mk-007


Open Publication PDF →

This material forms part of the NEYA Global knowledge architecture. Institutional, organizational, professional, training, consulting, curriculum, program design, or implementation use requires an active license from NEYA Global

Explore Architecture →
Module Overview →
Request Institutional Access →

About the Article

Case studies provide essential insights into how ethical decision-making frameworks are applied in practice, especially in non-profit and development contexts where resource constraints, cultural diversity, and stakeholder expectations intersect. This article presents four case studies focused on fund allocation, volunteer management, donor relations, and culturally sensitive program implementation.

Each case demonstrates how organizations identify ethical challenges, apply structured frameworks, and balance competing priorities while maintaining trust and accountability. The analysis emphasizes the importance of transparency in donor negotiations, fairness in volunteer recruitment, integrity in donor acceptance, and cultural sensitivity in program delivery. Collectively, these cases highlight that ethical decision-making requires not only theoretical grounding but also stakeholder engagement, open communication, and adaptive strategies to remain legitimate and resilient.

Key Topics

  • Ethical dilemmas in non-profit and development contexts
  • Transparency and accountability in donor relations
  • Fairness and bias reduction in volunteer management
  • Reputational risk in accepting donor contributions
  • Cultural sensitivity in program design and implementation
  • Practical applications of ethical decision-making models

Suggested Citation

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Case Studies in Ethical Decision-Making: Applications in Non-Profit and Development Contexts. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-eth-ds-mk-07

References

Brown, M. E., & Treviño, L. K. (2006). Ethical leadership: A review and future directions. The Leadership Quarterly, 17(6), 595-616.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2006.10.004

Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2021). Business ethics: Ethical decision making and cases (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Kaptein, M. (2008). Developing and testing a measure for the ethical culture of organizations: The corporate ethical virtues model. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 29(7), 923-947.
https://doi.org/10.1002/job.520

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Ethical Decision-Making. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/ethical-decision-making-2025

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Ethical decision-making in organizational contexts: Human resources, marketing, finance, and technology. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-eth-ds-mk-08

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Developing an ethical decision-making process: Frameworks, practices, and organizational implications. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-eth-ds-mk-05

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Tools and resources for ethical decision-making: Frameworks, committees, and training approaches. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-eth-ds-mk-09

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Functions, Impact, and Identity of Civil Society. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/functions-impact-civil-society-2025

Schwartz, M. S. (2016). Ethical decision-making theory: An integrated approach. Journal of Business Ethics, 139(4), 755-776.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2886-8

Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2021). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right (8th ed.). Wiley.

Transparency International. (2019). Global corruption report 2019. Berlin: TI.

https://neyaglobal.com/journal-nonprofit/case-studies-in-ethical-decision-making-applications-in-non-profit-and-development-contexts
350
September 26, 2025