Introduction
A conceptual framework, which provides a theoretical approach to issues of research, is an intermediate theory connecting aspects of inquiry (Cozby, 2009). In principle, this intermediate theory provides a connection between real practice and the research that is carried out by the researcher (Creswell, 2009).
This paper seeks to create a conceptual framework for a dissertation that is based on introducing the principles of integrity in the community (Trochim & Donnelly, 2008). The conceptual framework, therefore, should incorporate various theories that connect the introduction of integrity and the dissertation research (Zikmund, Carr & Griffin, 2010).
Models
Integrity Theory
Since the dissertation will be based on introducing integrity in the community, it should revolve around the integrity theory. The integrity theory argues that a human being, which is the only intelligent species, has the power to make informed decisions that embrace responsibility. It asserts that they should have the consistency of values and principles that purports their ethical honesty and truthfulness to live with each other. This implies that integrity is the main pillar of coexistence among people who have similar objectives.
It, also, argues that a lack of integrity, which controls the actions of people, can result in severe consequences that deplete unity and coexistence (Santoro, 2003). For example, the migrants of Malaysia have been facing many problems due to a lack of unity and integration among the migrants. Unity is a principle of human beings that is induced by the willingness to live with other people in a spirit of harmony to achieve collective goals (Kelly, 1995).
Lack of unity is caused by a lack of integrity since integrity is a virtue that enables people to appreciate others and harmoniously work with them. The introduction of integrity in the migrants of Malaysia, therefore, must be based on the concepts that are depicted in this theory including consistency of values and unity. It is the surest theory that can form a perfect framework for this dissertation to give the desired research framework.
Morally Permissible Theory
Characteristically, morals are relative since they change by the people. However, morally permissible theory seeks to stabilize this relativism by providing a common baseline for coexistence (Will, 1997). It states that morally permissible actions protect the well-being of all people who are working within the limits of those morals. This implies that an action that does not ensure the well-being of the people is not morally permissible in that community (Goode & Ben-Yehuda, 1994).
In light of introducing integrity in the community of Malaysia, this theory should be considered to address the nationals. The nationals disenfranchise the migrants because they do not belong to their country. The migrants are retrenched from their jobs to employ the nation of Malaysia. This implies that the authorities consider the welfare of the Malaysian people and disregard the migrants based on nationality.
According to the Morally Permissible Theory, sacrificing the migrants to satisfy the wealth of the nation is immoral and completely inhuman. Therefore, the dissertation should not consider the migrants alone. Instead, it should focus on the national and the authorities of Malaysia to address the plight of migrants holistically. Theoretically, the most significant problems that are faced by the migrants are related to morals.
Conclusion
The two theories, which include the Integrity Theory and Morally Permissible Theory, form a perfect framework for this dissertation regarding the introduction of integrity. It provides a guide for researching and analyzing the results to obtain the solution to the migrants’ problems.
References
Cozby, P. C. (2009). Methods in behavioral research. Boston: McGraw Hill Higher Education. (Original work published 10th).
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.
Goode, E., & Ben-Yehuda, N. (1994). Moral Panics: Culture, Politics, And Social Construction. Annual Review of Sociology, 20(1), 149-171.
Kelly, M. (1995). Humanism And Unity. History of European Ideas, 20(4-6), 923-928.
Santoro, M. A. (2003). Beyond Codes Of Conduct And Monitoring: An Organizational Integrity Approach To Global Labor Practices. Human Rights Quarterly, 25(2), 407-424.
Trochim, W. M., & Donnelly, J. (2008). Research methods knowledge base (3rd ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage.
Will, R. (1997). Time, Morality, And Humanity In Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony. Journal of the American Musicological Society, 50(2-3), 271-329.
Zikmund, W., Carr, J., & Griffin, M. (2010). Business research methods (8th ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson/South-Western.