TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose This study aims to explore how firms can configure their organisational architectures in ways that limit ethical transgressions of their corporate political activities (CPAs).Design/methodology/approach This conceptual work is informed by existing research into organisational architecture and ethical decision-making, combined with illustrative examples of firms’ political actions derived from secondary and primary data sources.Findings Findings suggest that the ways that firms assign decision-making authority and design performance management systems can, depending on their combined configuration, either help or hinder the promotion of ethical CPA practice.Practical implications The study provides practitioners with a useful tool for reflecting on the organisational levers they can pull to shield their firms from the financial and reputation damage associated with objectionable conduct in their political activities.Originality/value Whilst previous research studies emphasise the importance of statutory guidelines, self-regulation or corporate codes for promoting ethical CPA, this study argues that organisational design is an important yet overlooked antecedent of a firm’s ability to practice CPA ethically and responsibly.
VL  - 42
IS  - 2
SN  - 0275-6668
DO  - 10.1108/JBS-06-2019-0119
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/JBS-06-2019-0119
AU  - Barron Andrew
AU  - Stacey Stephen
PY  - 2020
Y1  - 2020/01/01
TI  - Corporations in the political arena: an ethical framework
T2  - Journal of Business Strategy
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 116
EP  - 125
Y2  - 2024/04/20
ER  -