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The Influence of Business School’s Ethical Climate on Students’ Unethical Behavior

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Abstract

Business schools play an instrumental role in laying the foundations for ethical behavior and socially responsible actions in the business community. Drawing on social learning and identity theories and using data collected from undergraduate business students (n = 318), we found that ethical climate was a significant predictor of unethical behavior, such that students with positive perceptions about their business school’s ethical climate were more likely to refrain from unethical behaviors. Moreover, we found that high moral and institutional identities strengthened the effect of ethical climate on unethical behavior. In addition to novel theoretical contributions to the business ethics and socio-psychology literature, this study offers practical pathways through which business schools can nurture and instill the values and behaviors that ultimately help shape positive organizational ethics. Directions for future research are provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Industry and Government, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Thomas A. Birtch

  2. Department of Management, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

    Flora F. T. Chiang

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  1. Thomas A. Birtch
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  2. Flora F. T. Chiang
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Correspondence to Flora F. T. Chiang.

Appendix

Appendix

Ethical climate scale

  1. 1.

    Students are expected to comply with the regulations and codes of conduct in my university.

  2. 2.

    It is important to follow rules and procedures in this university.

  3. 3.

    Our university’s major consideration is what is best for everyone in the university.

  4. 4.

    In this university, people protect their own interest above all else.

  5. 5.

    The most efficient way is the right way in this university.

  6. 6.

    Each person in this university decides for themselves what is right and wrong.

Unethical behaviors scale

  1. 1.

    Said something hurtful to someone at university.

  2. 2.

    Made fun of someone at university.

  3. 3.

    Spent too much time fantasizing or daydreaming instead of working.

  4. 4.

    Came in class late without permission.

  5. 5.

    Lost my temper while at school.

  6. 6.

    Worked on a personal matter instead of school work.

  7. 7.

    Cursed someone at school.

  8. 8.

    Put little effort into school work.

  9. 9.

    Intentionally worked slower than I could have worked.

  10. 10.

    Taken an additional or a longer break than is acceptable.

  11. 11.

    Left my school work for someone else to finish.

  12. 12.

    Played a mean joke on someone at university.

  13. 13.

    Acted rudely toward someone at university.

  14. 14.

    Made an ethnic, religious, or racial remark at university.

Moral identity scale

Listed below are some characteristics that may describe a person:

caring, compassionate, fair, friendly, generous, helpful, hardworking, honest, and kind. The person with these characteristics could be you or it could be someone else. For a moment, visualize in your mind the kind of person who has these characteristics. Imagine how that person would think, feel, and act. When you have a clear image of what this person would be like, answer the following questions.

  1. 1.

    Being someone who has these characteristics is an important part of who I am.

  2. 2.

    It would make me feel good to be a person who has these characteristics.

  3. 3.

    A big part of my emotional well-being is tied up in having these characteristics.

  4. 4.

    Having these characteristics is really important to me.

  5. 5.

    I strongly desire to have these characteristics.

  6. 6.

    Having these characteristics is an important part of my sense of self.

  7. 7.

    I would be proud to be a person who has these characteristics.

Institutional identity scale

  1. 1.

    I am glad to be a student of this university.

  2. 2.

    I feel strong ties with my university.

  3. 3.

    I experience a strong sense of belonging to this university.

  4. 4.

    I feel proud to study in this university.

  5. 5.

    I am sufficiently acknowledged and recognized in this university.

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Birtch, T.A., Chiang, F.F.T. The Influence of Business School’s Ethical Climate on Students’ Unethical Behavior. J Bus Ethics 123, 283–294 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1795-y

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