Can process improvement always be ethical? It may seem to be an odd question to ask but it's all too easy to become engrossed in the technical aspect and lose track of the fact that there are also people involved in the majority of processes.
There is a popular view, outside of business, that improvement equals increased efficiency which in turn means less jobs. Perhaps it's a hangover from old time and motion studies but unfortunately, it can still be true where that was the original, albeit unstated intent.
This can give the whole improvement movement a bad reputation whereas its true purpose should be a win-win for all stakeholders. However, where the proposed improvement is at the obvious cost of the people involved in delivering the product or service then there should be cause for concern.
Just as economic free markets need some moderation to limit their extremes, process improvement may need some moderation to produce the best outcome for all stakeholders. Is this a reasonable stance for an improvement practitioner to take or should it be "somebody else's problem"?
There is probably no simple answer to all situations but it’s something important to think about.