Future managers' perceptions of the importance of ethical values: results of a content analysis of student essays

Introduction. Developing ethical values in future managers is particularly important due to the importance of their ability to make management decisions, which must be based on moral principles and norms. This paper presents the results of a study designed to identify students' perceptions of the importance of ethical values based on reflective essays they wrote.
Materials and methods. The empirical basis of the study was 43 essays titled "My Necklace of Values" by students majoring in Public and Municipal Administration at S. A. Yesenin Ryazan State University, written in 2024-2025. The primary method was content analysis of the texts. To identify categories in the content analysis, N. Hartmann's classification of ethical values was used. Its hierarchical structure allowed for structuring the students' statements by value levels.
Results. The semantic units (quotes) identified during content analysis were systematized into categories such as fundamental ethical values, basic ethical values, and particular virtues. Within the latter, ancient, Christian, and modern virtues were distinguished.
Discussion and conclusions. A comparison of units of analysis revealed a diverse set of ethical values significant to students. Overall, the "ethical profile" of future managers represents a synthesis of values across all levels of N. Hartmann's framework, with varying degrees of awareness and explication. The results suggest that the ethical self-awareness of most students is well-developed and oriented toward personal growth, responsibility to society, and harmonious interaction with others. The pronounced importance of the values "fullness of experience" and "love of one's neighbor" indicates a humanistic orientation of thought.

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