What is the decision-making process called when unethical producers base their choices on personal perspectives rather than what is right or wrong?

The decision-making process in which individuals, particularly unethical producers, make choices based on personal perspectives rather than objective moral standards is known as rationalization. In this context, rationalization refers to the mental process of justifying or explaining one's decisions or actions in a way that aligns with their personal beliefs or self-interest, often ignoring ethical considerations.

When producers engage in rationalization, they may convince themselves that their choices are acceptable or even justified, even when they conflict with ethical norms. This can lead to detrimental outcomes for clients and the industry as a whole, as it allows individuals to act in self-serving ways under the guise of having valid reasons.

Justification, while similar, would imply a more logical reasoning process where one tries to explain and defend an action with rational thought. In contrast, rationalization often involves a more subjective approach. Self-interest refers more directly to motivations driven by personal gain, while bias indicates a leaning towards certain perspectives without a clear justification for those decisions. Therefore, rationalization is the most fitting term for this scenario of decision-making in the presence of ethical dilemmas.