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11 – 20 of over 59000Michael A. Mayo, Lawrence J. Marks and John K. Ryans
U.S. international marketing practitioners identified the mostdifficult ethical problems they have encountered in foreign trade. Theseethical problems were rated as occurring…
Abstract
U.S. international marketing practitioners identified the most difficult ethical problems they have encountered in foreign trade. These ethical problems were rated as occurring infrequently and having a moderate impact on a firm′s overseas competitiveness. Conversely, the respondents saw ethical problems as likely to tarnish the firm′s domestic image and to generate much concern for top management. This suggests such problems may have a stronger negative impact upon a firm′s domestic public image but may not be a major factor inhibiting its international trade. The strategic alternatives to, and management implications of, avoiding markets which may pose ethical problems are discussed.
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Although there have been several studies on corporate justice and employee ethical behavior, little is known about the conditions in which this link develops. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
Although there have been several studies on corporate justice and employee ethical behavior, little is known about the conditions in which this link develops. The purpose of this study is to investigate the direct effect of organizational justice and moral attentiveness toward employee ethical behavior. Importantly, this study also considers the moderating role of moral attentiveness on the links between organizational justice and employee ethical behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
The data was collected from 350 employees who were assessed directly to supervisors in 12 manufacturing companies placed in Malaysia, operated full-time, and had regular interaction with their direct supervisors. In particular, using two-wave survey data obtained from 270 employees working in the manufacturing industry in Malaysia.
Findings
Results showed that organizational justice and moral attentiveness positively impact the employee ethical behavior as predicted. New to the literature, findings disclose that moral attentiveness strengthens this relationship. Importantly, the positive impact of organizational justice is sharply positive under high than low moral attentive employees and ceases to be significant among low morally attentive personnel.
Research limitations/implications
This research focused on the notion of ethics and how important it is for society. The principles, norms and ideals that guide an individual’s behavior are referred to as ethics. Because the authors need to be treated with dignity as human beings, ethical behavior is essential in society.
Practical implications
The findings of this study send a clear signal to managers that “failing to ensure that their employees perceive organizational justice” may undermine every effort made by them to improve their organizations’ ethical quality. Importantly, the findings emphasize the role of moral attentiveness in improving the ethical behavior of employees both directly and by strengthening the effectiveness of organizational justice to impact such a behavior positively. So, given the advantages of moral attentiveness in terms of improving employee ethical conduct, businesses should make every effort to hire and choose people who meet this requirement because it is not easy to spot this personality trait. Human resource managers may assess candidates’ moral attentiveness using a range of methods such as group debate, an in-basket exercise, organized interviews and business games that concentrate on specific ethical concerns.
Social implications
This research focused on the notion of ethics and how important it is for society. The principles, norms and ideals that guide an individual’s behavior are referred to as ethics. Because the authors need to be treated with dignity as human beings, ethical behavior is essential in society.
Originality/value
The results of this study demonstrate how the eye is put to attain organizational moral excellence; the outcomes have shown that acutely attentive employees to the moral cues offered by the organization is vital.
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Samuel Koufie, Lexis Alexander Tetteh, Amoako Kwarteng and Richard Amankwa Fosu
This study aims to investigate the impact of ethical accounting practices on financial reporting quality by using the extended theory of planned behaviour (ETPB) and integrating…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of ethical accounting practices on financial reporting quality by using the extended theory of planned behaviour (ETPB) and integrating religiosity as a moderating variable.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a survey method, data was obtained from 371 chartered accountants who were in good standing as of April 2023. The collected data were then analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.
Findings
The results revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between ethical accounting practices (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and ethical judgement) and financial reporting quality of accounting practitioners. Furthermore, a moderation test was conducted, which demonstrated that religiosity enhances the positive correlation between ethical accounting constructs (attitude, subjective norm and ethical judgement) and financial reporting.
Practical implications
Leading by example, top-level management should actively promote a culture of religiosity that prioritises integrity and adherence to financial reporting requirements.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the very few ethics studies in accounting that demonstrates that the application of the ETPB improves financial reporting quality in a context fraught with allegations of moral breaches by accountants.
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Savita S. Rai and Navin Kumar Koodamara
This study aims to comprehensively analyse and synthesize existing studies that investigate the relationship between ethical leadership and organizational silence. This review…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to comprehensively analyse and synthesize existing studies that investigate the relationship between ethical leadership and organizational silence. This review also aims to provide a detailed understanding of the impact of ethical leadership on various dimensions of organizational silence.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a systematic review methodology, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines, to explore the relationship between ethical leadership and organizational silence. Using the SCOPUS database, the search involved Boolean operators to narrow down relevant papers published in English between 2000 and 2023. Following a meticulous screening process, 10 papers were selected for review after removing duplicates and excluding non-English or irrelevant studies. The selected papers underwent a methodological quality assessment, ensuring focused research questions, precise subject selection methods, representative samples and reliable measurement instruments.
Findings
This study has led to two crucial findings. Firstly, the review has revealed that employees feel secure and motivated to share their opinions when leaders are ethical, which is essential from the perspective of organizational performance. Secondly, in a collectivist culture, employees generally do not express their views (prosocial silence) even though the leaders are ethical. However, in an individualistic culture, employees express their views and opinions on organizational matters even though leaders are ethical.
Research limitations/implications
This research has three research implications. Firstly, the papers on the relationship between ethical leadership and organizational silence followed quantitative approach. Besides, there is a dearth of qualitative studies. Therefore, qualitative studies are urgently needed to understand the true nature of this relationship. Secondly, the relationship between ethical leadership and organizational silence in existing literature is inconsistent. Several studies have reported a non-significant relationship between these two constructs, which requires further investigation. Thirdly, most existing literature on the relationship between ethical leadership and organizational silence is concentrated in the manufacturing sector. Therefore, it is necessary to test this model, even in the services or other sectors.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to have reviewed the impact of ethical leadership on organizational silence. This review provides insights into how ethical leadership can mitigate silent behaviour. In addition, this review suggests future research directions pertaining to the relationship between ethical leadership and organizational silence.
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Siti Aisyah Zahari, Shahida Shahimi, Suhaili Alma'amun and Mohd Mursyid Arshad
This study aims to determine the factors that influence ethical banking behavior among millennials and Gen-Z in Malaysia.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the factors that influence ethical banking behavior among millennials and Gen-Z in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
A stratified sample of 525 millennials and Gen-Z of Malaysian banking customers was used. Extended ethical decision-making (EDM) model was tested using partial least square-structural equation model for the analysis.
Findings
The findings indicated that the engagement of millennials and Gen-Z in ethical banking is influenced by factors such as intention, judgment and awareness, which shaped both generations’ ethical banking behavior.
Practical implications
This study could be a central reference point and assist banking institutions in understanding the preferences of millennials and Gen-Z.
Originality/value
This study extends the previous EDM model that focused solely on consumer's belief systems. Three aspects differentiate this paper and contribute to its originality, namely, the uniqueness of millennials and Gen-Z behavior, incorporating new variables along with the EDM models and study in Malaysian context.
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Qurat-ul-Ain Burhan, Muhammad Asif Khan and Muhammad Faisal Malik
The current research aims to investigate the role of ethical leadership in improving business processes and the impact of ethical leadership on employee engagement with mediating…
Abstract
Purpose
The current research aims to investigate the role of ethical leadership in improving business processes and the impact of ethical leadership on employee engagement with mediating role of relational identification and ethical climate. Although ethical leadership displays and promotes morality in their followers, current literature is silent about the inclusion of relational identification and ethical climate. The present study intends to develop and test a model with the chain of mediation in the relationship between ethical leadership and employee engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of237 responses were collected from the banking sector using quantitative research techniques, and data were gathered through a self-administrated questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used through SEM- MPLUS to generate the results and test hypotheses.
Findings
The results suggested a significant impact of ethical leadership on employee engagement through relational identification and ethical climate (moral obligations, moral convictions and elevation). By using the results, practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Research limitations/implications
Besides all the proposed hypotheses that have been accepted, there are some limitations associated with this study. One limitation is usage of single source information, as the data were collected only from the banking sector employees. Moreover, only three variables are taken in the context of ethical climate (moral obligations, moral convictions and elevation). However, some other variables could also be included under the umbrella of ethical climate, e.g. moral virtue. Future researchers should also add different employee attitudes, such as job involvement, job satisfaction and organizational commitment, other than employee engagement.
Originality/value
An abundance of research is conducted on ethical leadership; however, with the development of knowledge and new thoughts related to identification and ethical climate, there is a strong need to conduct the research by including other overlooked possible paths.
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Gary Pflugrath, Nonna Martinov‐Bennie and Liang Chen
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the presence of a code of ethics on the quality of auditors' judgments, within the context of the new International…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the presence of a code of ethics on the quality of auditors' judgments, within the context of the new International Standard on Quality Controls 1 (ISQC1).
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 112 professional accountants and auditing students was employed to investigate the effect of the presence of a code of ethics (operationalised as the presence vs absence of an organisational code of conduct) on the quality of audit judgments, pertaining to an inventory writedown, using a 2 × 2 full factorial “between‐subjects” experimental design.
Findings
The results of this study indicate that the presence of a code of ethics has a positive impact on the quality of the judgments made by professional accountants, but not on students. This suggests that it is the code of ethics, in the context of greater general experience that leads to higher quality of judgments.
Practical implications
The results suggest that the requirements of ISQC1 are relevant to the quality control of accounting firms and have potential to positively impact the quality of audit performance.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to examine the impact of the presence of a code of ethics within an audit context. It is the first time that the interactive effects of the code of ethics and technical competency, which together form an integral part of standard‐setters' quality control standards, upon the quality of auditor judgments has been investigated.
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Ethical decisions determine which individuals and/or groups benefit, and which suffer. Such decisions by executives impact front-line providers directly and customers indirectly;…
Abstract
Purpose
Ethical decisions determine which individuals and/or groups benefit, and which suffer. Such decisions by executives impact front-line providers directly and customers indirectly; they are important because repercussions in service interactions feel personal. The purpose of this paper is to fill an important gap in the service literature by exploring how high-level executives make ethical decisions, creating values and culture within an organization; the results include testable propositions.
Design/methodology/approach
The research used a grounded theory approach, wherein high-level executives in successful service organizations responded through in-depth interviews. Complete interview transcripts were analyzed using standard qualitative methodology, including open coding to better understand and categorize the data, axial coding to seek out crucial relationships between concepts, and selective coding to develop research propositions.
Findings
Data analysis revealed two groups of interviewees, one more outcome-oriented in decision making and the other more process-oriented. The organizations led by more outcome-oriented executives have strong family-like (or paternalistic) cultures, whereas the organizations led by more process-oriented executives value adaptability and diversity.
Research limitations/implications
The executives interviewed are quite successful; therefore, it is not possible to make inferences about unsuccessful executives or those leading poorly performing organizations. Propositions developed relate that process-oriented executives use both analytical measures and intuition in decision making, whereas outcome-oriented respondents rely more heavily on analytical measures.
Practical implications
Service executives apparently make ethical decisions while focusing either on processes or on outcomes; members of these two groups use different evaluative criteria to identify a successful decision. Decisions relating to people within the organization are perceived by the executives to be especially salient, apparently owing to interpersonal interaction in services.
Social implications
There are inherent social implications when ethical decisions are made, because these decisions determine which individuals or groups benefit, and which suffer.
Originality/value
This research is among the first to interview high-level service executives about their ethical decision making when their choices define culture and values within their organizations. Findings offer a new look at how differences between executives that focus on processes and those that focus on outcomes may shape organizational cultures and lead to consideration of different criteria in making and evaluating decisions.
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Toan Khanh Tran Pham and To Quyen Hoang Thuy Nguyen Le
This study aims to explore how ethical leadership and innovative climate impact project success through employees innovative behavior. In addition, based on the conservation of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore how ethical leadership and innovative climate impact project success through employees innovative behavior. In addition, based on the conservation of resources theory, this study also examines whether time pressure moderates the innovative work behavior and project success nexus.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 403 employees working in Vietnam's information technology (IT) companies. The partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to investigate the impact of ethical leadership and innovative climate on project success, the mediating effect of innovative behavior and the moderating role of time pressure.
Findings
Empirical findings indicate that ethical leadership and innovative climate positively impact on project success. Moreover, employees' innovative behavior has a complementary effect on these relationships. In addition, time pressure moderates the nexus between innovative work behavior and project success.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that IT companies can promote innovative work behavior among employees by building ethical leadership and enhancing an innovative climate. Moreover, when designing and implementing a project, project managers should take care to allow enough time for innovative behavior within the team.
Originality/value
This inquiry is probably the first attempt to explore the mechanism linking ethical leadership and innovative climate to project success, with the mediating role of employees' innovative behavior. Additionally, time pressure is an increasingly relevant factor in contemporary business, but so far little explored in research. This study extends the current knowledge by considering the moderating role of time pressure in the innovative behavior and project success nexus.
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Cameron Sumlin, Mauro J. J. De Oliveira, Richard Conde and Kenneth W. Green
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the implementation of a performance management system comprising some traditional management practices (management process and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the implementation of a performance management system comprising some traditional management practices (management process and organizational behavior modification) lead to an ethical organizational environment and improved employee performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural model is theorized and assessed using data from samples of full-time employees in the USA and Brazil. Partial least squares–structural equation modeling is used.
Findings
The findings of this study suggest that management process and organizational behavior modification directly and positively impact the ethical environment, and the ethical environment directly and positively impacts employee performance. The management process and organizational behavior modification indirectly impact employee performance through an ethical environment.
Research limitations/implications
Although this theorized model was tested and provided significant results for implementing the management practices suggested, it is strongly recommended that other random data samples be used to analyze the theorized model and assess to reconfirm the results. In addition, incorporating the ethical environment construct within a larger model that includes other potential antecedents, such as management principles, and other potential outcomes, such as organizational commitment, job satisfaction and workplace optimism, is recommended.
Practical implications
This study provides management practitioners with empirical evidence that implementing a performance management system consisting of the management process and organizational behavior modification will enhance both the ethical environment and organizational trust, which, in turn, will lead to improved individual employee performance. Based on the theoretically and statistically supported framework, managers can improve the performance of their subordinates. The results further support the assertions that managers must implement the management process along with organizational behavior modifications to improve employee performance through an ethical environment and organizational trust
Social implications
The general conclusion from this study is that good management practices in the form of the management process and organizational behavior modification are inherently ethical. Furthermore, when implemented and consistently maintained by managers, these practices will result in an organizational environment that supports ethical behavior and engenders a high level of trust. The results of this study demonstrate a significant contribution to the existing literature, in that good management is tied, in fact, directly to ethics and trust.
Originality/value
The results provide evidence that good management in the form of the management process and organizational behavior modification yields both a positive ethical environment and improved employee performance. Practitioners are provided with evidence that reaffirms the need to define expectations for employees and to provide the necessary resources and positive reinforcement to fulfill the expectations. This study is one of the first to directly assess the impact of traditional management practices on an ethical environment.
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