Whither our future global managers? The moderating effect of organization context on ethical intent in international business

Alexander, Elizabeth A.

Abstract

This paper examines how proximal versus distal effects in an organization setting prevail as moderating influences on ethical judgments and intentions. The paper proposes three dimensions of ethical decision-making in international business (moral equity, contractualism and relativism) differentially affect the intention to act depending on the presence of moderating factors. Findings from an exercise of working adults reveal that, despite having an international orientation, faced with an ethical dilemma, individuals with low moral equity judgments are more likely to be concerned with the proximate effects of the decision on themselves; the potential breach of a firm’s implied social contract is sanctioned when the potential for the firm to benefit is high; and conformance to industry norms can overpower considerations of local acceptability of unethical practices.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: The 33rd Strategic Management Society Annual International Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, September 28 - October 1, 2013
• Start Date: Sep 28, 2013
• End Date: Oct 1, 2013
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: ethical intent, ethical judgment, international business
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/927527
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : The 33rd Strategic Management Society Annual International Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, September 28 - October 1st, 2013