Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ethical Decision Making: A Review of the Empirical Literature

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Citation Classics from the Journal of Business Ethics

Part of the book series: Advances in Business Ethics Research ((ABER,volume 2))

Abstract

The authors review the empirical literature in order to assess which variables are postulated as influencing ethical beliefs and decision making. The variables are divided into those unique to the individual decision maker and those considered situational in nature. Variables related to an individual decision maker examined in this review are nationality, religion, sex, age, education, employment, and personality. Situation specific variables examined in this review are referent groups, rewards and sanctions, codes of conduct, type of ethical conflict, organization effects, industry, and business competitiveness. The review identifies the variables that have been empirically tested in an effort to uncover what is known and what we need to know about the variables that are hypothesized as determinants of ethical decision behavior.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abratt, R., D. Nel, and N.S. Higgs. 1992. An examination of the ethical beliefs of managers using selected scenarios in a cross-cultural environment. Journal of Business Ethics 11: 29–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akaah, I.P. 1992. Social inclusion as a marketing ethics correlate. Journal of Business Ethics 11: 599–608.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akaah, I.P., and E.A. Riordan. 1989. Judgements of marketing professionals about ethical issues in marketing research: A replication and extension. Journal of Marketing Research 26(1): 112–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arlow, P., and T.A. Ulrich. 1980. Business ethics, social responsibility and business students: An empirical comparison of Clark’s study. Akron Business and Economic Review 11(3): 17–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumhart, R. 1961. Problems in review: How ethical are businessmen? Harvard Business Review 39(July-August): 6–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, H., and D.J. Fritzche. 1987. Business ethics: A cross-cultural comparison of managers’ attitudes. Journal of Business Ethics 6: 289–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beltramini, R.F., R.A. Peterson, and G. Kozmetsky. 1984. Concerns of college students regarding business ethics. Journal of Business Ethics 3: 195–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bommer, M., C. Gratto, J. Gravander, and M. Tuttle. 1987. A behavioral model of ethical and unethical decision making. Journal of Business Ethics 6: 265–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowman, J. 1976. Managerial ethics in business and government. Business Horizons 19: 48–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brenner, S.N., and E.A. Molander. 1977. Is the ethics of business changing? Harvard Business Review 55(January-February): 57–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Browning, J., and N.B. Zabriskie. 1983. How ethical are industrial buyers? Industrial Marketing Management 12: 219–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Callan, V.J. 1992. Predicting ethical values and training needs in ethics. Journal of Business Ethics 11: 761–769.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, A.B. 1975. Managerial ethics: A post Watergate view. Business Horizons 18(April): 75–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chonko, L.B., and S.D. Hunt. 1985. Ethics and marketing management: An empirical examination. Journal of Business Research 13(August): 339–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, J. 1966. Religion and moral standards of American businessmen. Cincinnati: South-Western Publishing.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, M.C. 1970. Attitudes of marketing executives toward ethics in marketing research. Journal of Marketing 34: 46–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delaney, J.T., and D. Sockell. 1992. Do company ethics training programs make a difference? An empirical analysis. Journal of Business Ethics 11: 719–727.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dornoff, R.J., and C.B. Tankersley. 1975–1976. Do retailers practice social responsibility? Journal of Retailing 51(4): 33–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubinsky, A.J., and J.M. Gwin. 1981. Business ethics: Buyers and sellers. Journal of Purchasing and Materials Management 17(Winter): 97–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubinsky, A.J., and T.N. Ingram. 1984. Correlates of salespeople’s ethical conflict. An exploratory investigation. Journal of Business Ethics 3: 343–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dubinsky, A.J., and M. Levy. 1985. Ethics in retailing: Perceptions of retail salespeople. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 13(1): 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dubinsky, A.J., and B. Loken. 1989. Analyzing ethical decision making in marketing. Journal of Business Research. 19(2): 83–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrell, O.C., and L.G. Gresham. 1985. A contingency framework for understanding ethical decision making in marketing. Journal of Marketing 49(Summer): 87–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrell, O.C., and S.J. Skinner. 1988. Ethical behavior and bureaucratic structure in marketing research organizations. Journal of Marketing Research 25(February): 103–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrell, O.C., and K.M. Weaver. 1978. Ethical beliefs of marketing managers. Journal of Marketing 42(July): 69–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ford, R.C., and R. S. Hansen. 1991. Intent and opportunity as predictors of a comprehensive ethical decision-making model. Paper presented at Association of Business Ethics, Miami.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritzsche, D.J., and H. Becker. 1983. Ethical behavior of marketing managers. Journal of Business Ethics 1: 291–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, C.S., and C.M. Crawford. 1974. Young executives: A source of new ethics? The Personnel Journal 53(March): 180–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, D.I., and A.B. Cocanoughec. 1972. Student evaluations of the ethics of marketing practices: The role of marketing education. Journal of Marketing 36(April): 61–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hegarty, W.H., and H.P. Sims Jr. 1978. Some determinants of unethical decision behavior. An experiment. Journal of Applied Psychology 63(4): 451–457.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hegarty, W.H., and H.P. Sims Jr. 1979. Organizational philosophy, policies and objectives related to unethical decision behavior. A laboratory experiment. Journal of Applied Psychology 64(3): 331–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, S.D., L.B. Chonko, and J.B. Wilcox. 1984. Ethical problems of marketing researchers. Journal of Marketing Research 21(August): 304–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Izraeli, D. 1988. Ethical beliefs and behavior among managers: A cross-cultural perspective. Journal of Business Ethics 7: 263–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • John, G. 1984. An empirical investigation of some antecedents of opportunism in a marketing channel. Journal of Marketing Research 21(August): 278–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, T.M. 1991. Ethical decision making by individuals in organizations: An issue-contingent model. Academy of Management Review 16(2): 366–395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, T.M., and F.H. Gautschi III. 1988. Will the ethics of business change? A survey of future executives. Journal of Business Ethics 7: 231–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kidwell, J.M., R.E. Stevens, and A.L. Bethke. 1987. Differences in the ethical perceptions between male and female managers: Myth or reality. Journal of Business Ethics 6: 489–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krugman, D.M., and O.C. Ferrell. 1981. The organizational ethics of advertising corporate and agency views. Journal of Advertising 10(1): 21–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laczniak, G., and E.J. Inderrieden. 1987. The influence of stated organizational concern upon ethical decision making. Journal of Business Ethics 6: 297–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lane, M.S., D. Schaupp, and B. Parsons. 1988. Pygmalion effect. An issue for business education and ethics. Journal of Business Ethics 7: 223–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, P.V. 1985. Defining business ethics: Like nailing Jello to a wall. Journal of Business Ethics 4: 377–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Litwin, G., and R. Springer. 1968. Motivation and organization climate. Boston: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNichols, C.W., and T.W. Zimmerer. 1985. Situational ethics: An empirical study of differentiators of student attitudes. Journal of Business Ethics 4: 175–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, W.J., P.V. Lewis, and N.L. Reinsch Jr. 1992. Bank ethics: An exploratory study of ethical behaviors and perceptions in small, local banks. Journal of Business Ethics 11: 197–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, P.R., J.E. Smith, and J.M. Daley. 1992. Executive attitudes, organizational size and ethical issues: Perspectives on a service industry. Journal of Business Ethics 11: 11–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newstrom, J.W., and W.A. Ruch. 1975. The ethics of management and the management of ethics. MSU Business Topics 23(Winter): 29–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner, B.Z., and W.H. Schmidt. 1984. Values and the American manager. An update. California Management Review 26(3): 202–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Posner, B.Z., and W.H. Schmidt. 1987. Ethics in American companies: A managerial perspective. Journal of Business Ethics 6: 383–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, C.B., and G.W. McLaughlin. 1989. An analysis of predictions of college students’ ethical intentions. Research in Higher Education 30(2): 195–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Randall, D.M., and A.M. Gibson. 1990. Methodology in business ethics research: A review and critical assessment. Journal of Business Ethics 9: 457–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruegger, D., and E.W. King. 1992. A study of the effect of age and gender upon student business ethics. Journal of Business Ethics 11: 179–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serwinek, P.J. 1992. Demographic & related differences in ethical views among small businesses. Journal of Business Ethics 11: 555–566.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singhapakdi, A., and S.J. Vitell. 1990. Marketing ethics: Factors influencing perceptions of ethical problems and alternatives. Journal of Macromarketing 10(Spring): 4–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, G.E. 1984. Business ethics and social responsibility. The response of present and future managers. Akron Business and Economic Review 15(Fall): 6–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, G. E., W. D. Richardson, and A. E. Abramowitz. 1989. Perceptual differences of ethical decision situations business vs. law: A difference of opinion? Southern Management Association Proceedings, 199–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trevino, L.K. 1986. Ethical decision making in organizations: A person-situation interactionist model. Academy of Management Review 11(3): 601–617.

    Google Scholar 

  • Victor, B., and J.B. Cullen. 1987. A theory and measure of ethical climate in organizations. In Research in corporate social performance and policy, ed. W.C. Frederick and L.E. Preston, 51–71. Greenwich: JAI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitell, S.J., and T.A. Festervand. 1987. Business ethics: Conflict, practices and beliefs of industrial executives. Journal of Business Ethics 6: 111–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber, J. 1990. Managers’ moral reasoning: Assessing their responses in three moral dilemmas. Human Relations 43(7): 687–702.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weeks, W.A., and J. Nantel. 1992. Corporate codes of ethics and sales force behavior. A case study. Journal of Business Ethics 11: 753–760.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whipple, T.W., and D.F. Swords. 1992. Business ethics judgments: A cross-cultural comparison. Journal of Business Ethics 11: 671–678.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, L.P., and M.J. Rhodeback. 1992. Ethical dilemmas in organization development a cross-cultural analysis. Journal of Business Ethics 11: 663–670.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Withey, S. 1965. The US and USSR: A report of the public’s perspective on the United States-Russian relations in late 1961. In Components of defense policy, ed. D. Bobrow, 164–174. Chicago: Rand McNally.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S.A. 1989. Executive values and the ethics of company politics: Some preliminary findings. Journal of Business Ethics 8: 15–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zey-Ferrell, M.K., and O.C. Ferrell. 1982. Role-set configuration and opportunity as predictors of unethical behavior in organizations. Human Relations 35(7): 587–604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zey-Ferrell, M.K., M. Weaver, and O.C. Ferrell. 1979. Predicting unethical behavior among marketing practitioners. Human Relations 32(7): 557–569.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management, College of Business Administration, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816-1400, USA

    Robert C. Ford

  2. Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, 22601, USA

    Woodrow D. Richardson

Authors
  1. Robert C. Ford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Woodrow D. Richardson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert C. Ford .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Faculty of Arts, Brandon University, 18th Street 270, Brandon, R7A 6A9, Manitoba, Canada

    Alex C. Michalos

  2. Office of the President, Brandon University, 18th Street 270, Brandon, R7A 6A9, Manitoba, Canada

    Deborah C. Poff

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ford, R.C., Richardson, W.D. (2013). Ethical Decision Making: A Review of the Empirical Literature. In: Michalos, A., Poff, D. (eds) Citation Classics from the Journal of Business Ethics. Advances in Business Ethics Research, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4126-3_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation