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Codes of Ethics, Orientation Programs, and the Perceived Importance of Employee Incorruptibility

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which the review of corporate ethics codes is associated with individuals’ perceptions of the importance of virtue ethics, or more specifically, employee incorruptibility. A convenience sample of individuals working for a university or one of several business organizations located in the Mountain West region of the United States was compiled with a self-report questionnaire. A usable sample of 143 persons representing both the public and private industries was secured for use in this study. The results of an analysis of covariance showed that reviewing ethics codes during employee orientation was positively related to individuals’ beliefs that incorruptibility is an important individual virtue. The managerial implications of the findings are discussed along with suggestions for future research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management and Marketing, University of Wyoming, P.O. Box 3275, Laramie, Wyoming, 82071, USA

    Sean Valentine

  2. Management Assistant, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, 5032, Palo Verde Dr., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119, USA

    Anthony Johnson

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  1. Sean Valentine
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Correspondence to Sean Valentine.

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Valentine, S., Johnson, A. Codes of Ethics, Orientation Programs, and the Perceived Importance of Employee Incorruptibility. J Bus Ethics 61, 45–53 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-005-7057-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-005-7057-x

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