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An Examination of the Relationship Between Ethical Work Climate and Moral Awareness

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Abstract

This paper draws from the fields of history, sociology, psychology, moral philosophy, and organizational theory to establish a theoretical connection between a social/organizational influence (ethical work climate) and an individual cognitive element of moral behavior (moral awareness). The research was designed to help to fill a gap in the existing literature by providing empirical evidence of the connection between organizational influences and individual moral awareness and subsequent ethical choices, which has heretofore largely been merely assumed. Results of the study provide evidence that ethical work climate (EWC) is a primary predictor of individual moral awareness, and that the influence of social factors often overrides the effects of individual differences in a work group setting. Implications for future research are provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business Administration, Augustana College, 263 Sorensen Hall, 639 38th Street, Rock Island, IL, 61201-2296, USA

    Craig V. VanSandt

  2. Department of Management, R. B. Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech, 2007 Pamplin Hall, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-0233, USA

    Jon M. Shepard

  3. Department of Educational Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, CEDAR Building, University Park, PA, 16802-3109, USA

    Stephen M. Zappe

Authors
  1. Craig V. VanSandt
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  2. Jon M. Shepard
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  3. Stephen M. Zappe
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Correspondence to Craig V. VanSandt.

EXHIBIT A

EXHIBIT A

PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GENERAL CLIMATE IN YOUR COMPANY IN TERMS OF HOW IT REALLY IS IN YOUR COMPANY, \(\underline{{\rm NOT}}\) HOW YOU WOULD PREFER IT TO BE. PLEASE BE AS CANDID AS POSSIBLE; REMEMBER, ALL YOUR RESPONSES WILL REMAIN STRICTLY ANONYMOUS AND CONFIDENTIAL.

PLEASE INDICATE THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOU AGREE WITH EACH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ABOUT YOUR COMPANY. USE THE SCALE BELOW AND INDICATE ON THE ANSWER SHEET NEXT TO THE NUMBER OF THE CORRESPONDING STATEMENT THE NUMBER WHICH BEST REPRESENTS YOUR ANSWER.

TO WHAT EXTENT ARE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS TRUE ABOUT YOUR COMPANY?

COMPLETELY FALSE

MOSTLY FALSE

SOMEWHAT FALSE

SOMEWHAT TRUE

MOSTLY TRUE

COMPLETELY TRUE

1

2

3

4

5

6

  1. 1.

    (EI) In this company, people are mostly out for themselves.

  2. 2.

    (EI) In this company, people protect their own interest above other considerations.

  3. 3.

    (EI) People in this company are very concerned about what is best for themselves.

  4. 4.

    (EI) There is no room for one’s own personal morals or ethics in this company.

  5. 5.

    (EL) Decisions here are primarily viewed in terms of contributions to profit.

  6. 6.

    (EL) People are concerned with the company’s interests – to the exclusion of all else.

  7. 7.

    (EL) People are expected to do anything to further the company’s interests.

  8. 8.

    (EL) Work is considered sub-standard only when it hurts the company’s interests.

  9. 9.

    (EC) Efficient solutions to problems are always sought here.

  10. 10.

    (EC) In this company, each person is expected, above all, to work efficiently.

  11. 11.

    (EC) The major responsibility for people in the company is to consider efficiency first.

  12. 12.

    (EC) The most efficient way is always the right way in this company.

  13. 13.

    (BI) In this company, our major concern is always what is best for the other person.

  14. 14.

    (BI) In this company, people look out for each other’s good.

  15. 15.

    (BI) It is expected that each individual is cared for when making decisions here.

  16. 16.

    (BI) What is best for each individual is a primary concern in this organization.

  17. 17.

    (BL) Our major consideration is what is best for everyone in this company.

  18. 18.

    (BL) People are very concerned about what is generally best for employees in the company.

  19. 19.

    (BL) People in this company view team spirit as important.

  20. 20.

    (BL) The most important concern is the good of all the people in the company.

  21. 21.

    (BC) It is expected that you will always do what is right for the customer and public.

  22. 22.

    (BC) People in this company are actively concerned about the customer’s, and the public’s interest.

  23. 23.

    (BC) People in this company have a strong sense of responsibility to the outside community.

  24. 24.

    (BC) The effect of decisions on the customer and the public are a primary concern in this company.

  25. 25.

    (PI) Each person in this company decides for himself what is right and wrong.

  26. 26.

    (PI) In this company, people are expected to follow their own personal and moral beliefs.

  27. 27.

    (PI) In this company, people are guided by their own personal ethics.

  28. 28.

    (PI) The most important consideration in this company is each person’s sense of right and wrong.

  29. 29.

    (PL) Everyone is expected to stick by company rules and procedures.

  30. 30.

    (PL) It is very important to follow strictly the company’s rules and procedures here.

  31. 31.

    (PL) Successful people in this company go by the book.

  32. 32.

    (PL) Successful people in this company strictly obey the company policies.

  33. 33.

    (PC) In this company, people are expected to strictly follow legal or professional standards.

  34. 34.

    (PC) In this company, the law or ethical code of their profession is the major consideration.

  35. 35.

    (PC) People are expected to comply with the law and professional standards over and above other considerations.

  36. 36.

    (PC) The first consideration is whether a decision violates any law.

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VanSandt, C.V., Shepard, J.M. & Zappe, S.M. An Examination of the Relationship Between Ethical Work Climate and Moral Awareness. J Bus Ethics 68, 409–432 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-9030-8

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