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The Effects of Attitudes, Subjective Norms, Attributions, and Individualism–Collectivism on Managers’ Responses to Bribery in Organizations: Evidence from a Developing Nation

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Abstract

The goal of this study was to introduce a model explaining how managers’ attitudes, subjective norms, attributions, and the individualism–collectivism cultural dimension affect the way managers’ deal with employee bribery in organizations. Twenty-six internal and external attributions related to bribery were identified through a series of structured interviews with 65 subject matter experts. These attributions, together with the other variables in the model, were evaluated by 354 (n = 354) Ecuadorian managers. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that attitudes and external attributions significantly predicted managers’ intentions to discipline employees who accepted a bribe. In addition, external attributions mediated the relationship between individualism–collectivism and intent to discipline corrupt employees. Implications for the management of bribery in Latin American organizations are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Barry University, 11300 N.E. Second Avenue, Miami Shores, FL, 33161, USA

    Guillermo Wated

  2. Department of Management and International Business, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Juan I. Sanchez

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  1. Guillermo Wated
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  2. Juan I. Sanchez
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Correspondence to Guillermo Wated.

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Wated, G., Sanchez, J.I. The Effects of Attitudes, Subjective Norms, Attributions, and Individualism–Collectivism on Managers’ Responses to Bribery in Organizations: Evidence from a Developing Nation. J Bus Ethics 61, 111–127 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-005-8712-y

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