Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Understanding Corruption in Organizations – Development and Empirical Assessment of an Action Model

  • Published:
Journal of Business Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite a strong sensitization to the corruption problem and a large body of interdisciplinary research, scientists have only rarely investigated which motivational, volitional, emotional, and cognitive components make decision makers in companies act corruptly. Thus, we examined how their interrelation leads to corruption by proposing an action model. We tested the model using a business simulation game with students as participants. Results of the PLS structural equation modeling showed that both an attitude and subjective norm favoring corruption led to a desire to act corruptly. Given high perceived behavioral control, this desire was transformed into an intention that finally resulted in corrupt action. Components related to general private and professional goals did not allow for any prediction. Based on these results, we discuss preventative measures and methods for combating intra- and inter-organizational corruption.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ach, N.: 1935, Analyse des Willens. Urban und Schwarzenberg, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Ajzen, I.: 1991, ‘The Theory of Planned Behavior’, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 50(2), 179–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ajzen I. and M. Fishbein 1977, ‘Attitude-Behavior Relations: A Theoretical Analysis and Review of Empirical Research’, Psychological Bulletin 84(5), 888–918

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amundsen, I.: 1999, ‘Political Corruption: An Introduction to the Issues’, Working Paper 99(7), Chr. Michelsen Institute, Bergen. http://www.cmi.no/publications/1999/wp/wp1999-7.pdf. Accessed 25 Nov 2005

  • Andving, J. C. and O. Fjeldstad: 2001, ‘Corruption: A Review of Contemporary Research’, CMI Report R 2001:7, Chr. Michelsen Institute, Bergen. http://cmi.no/publications/publication.cfm?pubid=861. Accessed 11 Nov 2005

  • Argandoña A.: 2003, ‘Private-to-Private Corruption’, Journal of Business Ethics 47(3), 253–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Arnim H. H.: 2003, ‘Korruption in Politik und Verwaltung’, In: H. H. von Arnim (eds), Korruption. Netzwerke in Politik, Ämtern und Wirtschaft. Knaur, München, pp. 16–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashforth B. E. and V. Anand: 2003, ‘The Normalization of Corruption in Organizations’, Research in Organizational Behavior 25, 1–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagozzi R. P.: 1992, ‘The Self-Regulation of Attitudes, Intentions, and Behavior’, Social Psychology Quarterly 55(2), 178–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagozzi R. P., H. Baumgartner and R. Pieters: 1998, ‘Goal-Directed Emotions’, Cognition and Emotion 12(1), 1–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagozzi R. P. and U. M. Dholakia: 1999, ‘Goal Setting and Goal Striving in Consumer Behavior’, Journal of Marketing 63, 19–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagozzi R. P., U. M. Dholakia and S. Basuroy: 2003, ‘How Effortful Decisions Get Enacted: The Motivating Role of Decision Processes, Desires, and Anticipated Emotions’, Journal of Behavioral Decision Making 16(4), 273–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bannenberg B.: 2002, Korruption in Deutschland und ihre strafrechtliche Kontrolle. Luchterhand, Neuwied

    Google Scholar 

  • Bannenberg B. and W. Schaupensteiner: 2004, Korruption in Deutschland. Beck, München

    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(4), 265–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borner S. and C. Schwyzer: 1999, ‘Bekämpfung der Bestechung im Lichte der Neuen Politischen Ökonomie’, In: M. Pieth and P. Eigen (eds.), Korruption im internationalen Geschäftsverkehr: Bestandsaufnahme, Bekämpfung, Prävention. Luchterhand, Neuwied, pp. 17–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandstätter V., A. Lengfelder and P. M. Gollwitzer 2001, ‘Implementation Intentions and Efficient Action Initiation’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 81(5), 946–960

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brasz H. A.: 1970, ‘The Sociology of Corruption’, In: A. J. Heidenheimer (eds.), Political Corruption: Readings in Comparative Analysis. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, pp. 41–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown M. E. and L. K. Trevino 2006, ‘Ethical Leadership: A Review and Future Directions’, The Leadership Quarterly 17(6), 595–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brünner C. (eds) 1981, Korruption und Kontrolle. Böhlau, Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrillo, J. D.: 1999, ‘Corruption in Hierarchies’, Annales d’Economie et de Statistique 59. http://www.adres.prd.fr/annales/anciensnumeros/resumes/n59/03.pdf. Accessed 21 Jan 2005

  • Carver C. S. and M. F. Scheier 1998, On the Self-Regulation of Behavior. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherry J. and J. Fraedrich 2000, ‘An Empirical Investigation of Locus of Control and the Structure of Moral Reasoning: Examining the Ethical Decision-Making Processes of Sales Managers’, The Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management 20(3), 173–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Chin W. W.: 1998, ‘The Partial Least Squares Approach to Structural Equation Modeling’, In: G. A. Marcoulides (eds), Modern methods for business research. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ, pp. 295–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Chin W. W. and P. R. Newsted 1999, ‘Structural Equation Modeling Analysis with Small Samples Using Partial Least Squares’, In: R. H. Hoyle (eds), Statistical Strategies for Small Sample Research. Sage Publications, Tousand Oaks, pp. 307–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole B. C. and D. L. Smith: 1996, ‘Perceptions of Business Ethics: Students vs. Business People’, Journal of Business Ethics 15(8), 889–896

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman J. W.: 1998, The Criminal Elite. Understanding White-Collar Crime, 4th ed. St. Martin’s Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Dollar D., R. Fisman and R. Gatti 2001, ‘Are Women Really the “Fairer” Sex? Corruption and Women in Government’, Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 46(4), 423–429

    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 

  • Van Duyne P. C.: 2001, ‘Will Caligula Go Transparent? Corruption in Acts and Attitudes’, Forum on Crime and Society 1(2), 73–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Eagly A. H. and S. Chaiken 1993, The Psychology of Attitudes. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, San Diego, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrell O. C. and L. G. Gresham 1985, ‘A Contingency Framework for Understanding Ethical Decision Making in Marketing’, Journal of Marketing Management 49(3), 87–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford R. C. and W. D. Richardson 1994, ‘Ethical Decision Making: A Review of the Empirical Literature’, Journal of Business Ethics 13(3), 205–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fornell C., and F. L. Bookstein 1982, ‘Two Structural Equation Models: LISREL and PLS Applied to Consumer Exit-Voice Theory’, Journal of Marketing Research 19(4), 440–452

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gatti, R., S. Paternostro and J. Rigolini: 2003, ‘Individual Attitudes Toward Corruption: Do Social Effects Matter?’, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 3122, World Bank, Washington, DC. http://econ.worldbank.org/files/29354_wp3122.pdf. Accessed 28 April 2005

  • Goel R. K. and D. P. Rich: 1989, ‘On the Economic Incentives for Taking Bribes’, Public Choice 61(3), 269–275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gollwitzer P. M.: 1990, ‘Action Phases and Mind-Sets’, In E. T. Higgins and R. M. Sorrentino (eds.), Handbook of Motivation and Social Cognition. Foundations of Social Behavior, Vol. 2. Guilford Press, New York, pp. 287–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollwitzer, P. M.: 1996, ‘The Volitional Benefits of Planning’, in P. M. Gollwitzer and J. A. Bargh (eds.), The Psychology of Action. Linking Cognition and Motivation to Behavior. Guilford Press, New York, pp. 287–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollwitzer P. M.: 1999, ‘Implementation Intentions: Strong Effects of Simple Plans’, American Psychologist 54(7), 493–503

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gollwitzer P. M. and V. Brandstätter 1997, ‘Implementation Intentions and Effective Goal Pursuit’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 73(1), 186–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hacker F.: 1981, ‘Sozialpsychologische Bedingungen der Korruption’, In: C. Brünner (eds), Korruption und Kontrolle. Böhlau, Wien, pp. 137–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansmann K. and C. M. Ringle 2005, Wirkung einer Teilnahme an Unternehmensnetzwerken auf die strategischen Erfolgsfaktoren von Partnerunternehmen – Eine empirische Untersuchung. Die Unternehmung 3, 217–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Heckhausen, H.: 1987a, ‘Intentionsgeleitetes Handeln und seine Fehler’, in H. Heckhausen, P. M. Gollwitzer and F. E. Weinert (eds.), Jenseits des Rubikon: Der Wille in den Humanwissenschaften (Springer, Heidelberg), pp. 143–175

  • Heckhausen, H.: 1987b, ‘Wünschen – wählen – wollen’, in H. Heckhausen, P. M. Gollwitzer and F. E. Weinert (eds.), Jenseits des Rubikon: Der Wille in den Humanwissenschaften (Springer, Heidelberg), pp. 3–9

  • Heckhausen H. 1989, Motivation und Handeln. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Heidenheimer A. J. 2002, ‘Perspectives on the Perception of Corruption’, In A. J. Heidenheimer and M. Johnston (eds.), Political Corruption: Concepts and Contexts. Transaction Publisher, New Brunswick, NJ, pp. 141–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillgruber A. 1912, Fortlaufende Arbeit und Willensbetätigung. Quelle und Meyer, Leipzig

    Google Scholar 

  • Höffling C. 2002, Korruption als soziale Beziehung. LeskeBudrich, Opladen

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt S. D. and S. J. Vitell 1986, ‘A General Theory of Marketing Ethics’, Journal of Macromarketing 6(1), 5–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huntington S. P. 1989, ‘Modernization and Corruption’, In: A. J. Heidenheimer and M. Johnston (eds.), Political Corruption: A Handbook. Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick, NJ, pp. 253–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, T. M. 1991, ‘Ethical Decision Making by Individuals in Organizations: An Issue-Contingent Model’, The Academy of Management Review 16(2), 366–395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan M. 1996, ‘A Typology of Corrupt Transactions in Developing Countries’, IDS Bulletin 27(2), 12–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khatri N., E. W. K. Tsang and T. M. Begley 2006, ‘Cronyism: A Cross-Cultural Analysis’, Journal of International Business Studies 37(1), 61–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kriz W. 2005, ‘Planspiel’, In: S. Kühl, P. Strodtholz and A. Taffertshofer (eds.), Quantitative Methoden der Organisationsforschung. Ein Handbuch. VS-Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden, pp. 243–269

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubal D., M. Baker and K. Coleman 2006, ‘Doing the Right Thing: How Today’s Leading Companies are Becoming More Ethical’, Performance Improvement 45(3), 5–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambsdorff, J. G.: 1999, ‘Corruption in Empirical Research—A Review’, Transparency International Working Paper, Transparency International, Berlin. http://www.transparency.org/working_papers/lambsdorff/lambsdorff_eresearch.html. Accessed 20 Feb 2005

  • Lambsdorff J. G. 2002, ‘Making Corrupt Deals: Contracting in the Shadow of the Law’, Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 48(3), 221–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambsdorff, J. G. and S. U. Teksoz: 2002, ‘Corrupt Relational Contracting’, Diskussionsbeitrag Nr. 113, Universität Göttingen, Volkswirtschaftliches Seminar, Göttingen. http://www.icgg.org/downloads/contribution09_utkuteksoz.pdf. Accessed 8 March 2005

  • Locke E. A. and G. P. Latham: 1990, A Theory of Goal Setting and Task Performance. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • Loe T. W., L. Ferrell and P. Mansfield 2000, ‘A Review of Empirical Studies Assessing Ethical Decision Making in Business’, Journal of Business Ethics 25(3), 185–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lohmöller J. 1989, Latent Variable Path Modeling with Partial Least Squares. Physica-Verlag, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald G. 2000, ‘Business Ethics. Practical Proposals for Organisations’, Journal of Business Ethics 25(2), 169–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mele A. R. 1995, ‘Motivation: Essentially Motivation-Constituting Attitudes’, Philosophical Review 104(3), 387–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mocan H. N. 2004, What Determines Corruption. National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunnally J. C. 1978, Psychometric Theory. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Nye J. S. 1967, ‘Corruption and Political Development: A Cost-Benefit Analysis’, American Political Science Review 61(2), 417–427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Fallon M. J. and K. D. Butterfield 2005, ‘A Review of the Empirical Ethical Decision-Making Literature: 1996–2003’, Journal of Business Ethics 59(4), 375–413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park H. 2003, ‘Determinants of Corruption: A Cross-National Analysis’, The Multinational Business Review 11(2), 29–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Perugini M. and R. P. Bagozzi 2001, ‘The Role of Desires and Anticipated Emotions in Goal-Directed Behaviours: Broadening and Deepening the Theory of Planned Behaviour’, British Journal of Social Psychology 40(1), 79–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perugini M. and R. P. Bagozzi 2004, ‘The Distinction Between Desires and Intentions’, European Journal of Social Psychology 34(1), 69–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perugini M. and M. Conner 2000, ‘Predicting and Understanding Behavioral Volitions: The Interplay Between Goals and Behaviors’, European Journal of Social Psychology 30(5), 705–731

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pies, I., P. Sass and H. Meyer zu Schwabedissen: 2005, ‘Prävention von Wirtschaftskriminalität—Zur Theorie und Praxis der Korruptionsbekämpfung’, Wirtschaftsethik-Studie Nr. 2005–2, Martin-Luther Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Lehrstuhl für Wirtschaftsethik, Halle. http://www.wiwi.uni-halle.de/linebreak4/mod/netmedia_pdf/data/studie_2005_2.pdf. Accessed 4 Nov 2005

  • Pitt L. F. and R. Abratt: 1986, ‘Corruption in Business – Are Management Attitudes Right?’, Journal of Business Ethics 5(1), 39–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powpaka S.: 2002, ‘Factors Affecting Managers’ Decision to Bribe: An Empirical Investigation’, Journal of Business Ethics 40(3), 227–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rest J. R. 1986, Moral Development: Advances in Research and Theory. Praeger: New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringle C. M., N. Boysen, S. Wende and A. Will: 2006, ‘Messung von Kausalmodellen mit dem Partial-Least-Squares-Verfahren’, Das Wirtschaftsstudium 1, 81–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringle, C. M., S. Wende and A. Will: 2005, SmartPLS 2.0 (beta) (University of Hamburg, Hamburg). http://www.smartpls.de

  • Rose-Ackerman S.: 1978, Corruption. A Study in Political Economy. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Rügemer W.: 1996, Wirtschaften ohne Korruption. Fischer-Taschenbuch-Verlag, Frankfurt am Main

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaupensteiner W.: 2004, ‘Korruption in Deutschland: Lagebild, Maßnahmen und Gefahren’, In: A. Schilling and U. Dolata (eds.), Korruption im Wirtschaftssystem Deutschland. Jeder Mensch hat seinen Preis. Mankau, Murnau a. Staffelsee, pp. 117–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneeweiß H. 1991, ‘Models with latent variables: LISREL Versus PLS’, Statistica Neerlandica 45(2), 145–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulze G. G. and B. Frank: 2003, ‘Deterrence Versus Intrinsic Motivation: Experimental Evidence on the Determinants of Corruptibility’, Economics of Governance 4(2), 143–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon D. R. and F. E. Hagan: 1999, White-Collar Deviance. Allyn and Bacon, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Stead W. E., D. L. Worrell and J. G. Stead 1990, ‘An Integrative Model for Understanding and Managing Ethical Behavior in Business Organizations’, Journal of Business Ethics 9(3), 233 – 242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swamy A., S. Knack, Y. Lee and O. Azfar 2001, ‘Gender and Corruption’, Journal of Development Economics 64(1), 25–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanzi V. 1995, ‘Corruption, Arm’s-Length Relationships, and Markets’, In: G. Fiorentini and S. Peltzman (eds.), The Economics of Organised Crime. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, MA, pp. 161–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanzi V. 1998, ‘Corruption Around the World: Causes, Consequences, Scope and Cures’, International Monetary Fund Staff Papers 45(4), 559–594

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor S. and P. Todd 1995, ‘Decomposition and Crossover Effects in the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Study of Consumer Adoption Intentions’, International Journal of Research in Marketing 12(2), 137–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tenenhaus M., V. E. Vinzi, Y. Chatelin and C. Lauro 2005, ‘PLS path modeling’, Computational Statistics & Data Analysis 48(1), 159–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Transparency International: 2005, ‘Report on the Transparency International Global Corruption Barometer 2005’. http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/gcb. Accepted 12 Nov 2006

  • Treisman D. 2000, ‘The Causes of Corruption: A Cross-National Study’, Journal of Public Economics 76, 399–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trevino L. K. 1986, ‘Ethical Decision Making in Organizations: A Person-Situation Interactionist Model’, The Academy of Management Review 11(3), 601–617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vahlenkamp W. and I. Knauß 1995, Korruption – hinnehmen oder handeln. Bundeskriminalamt: Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams R. (eds) 2000, Explaining Corruption. The Politics of Corruption 1. Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, Cheltenham

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

We thank the foundation “Wertevolle Zukunft,” the Business Keeper AG, the Telekom AG, and the ABB AG for the financial support for this research project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany

    Tanja Rabl & Torsten M. Kühlmann

Authors
  1. Tanja Rabl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Torsten M. Kühlmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tanja Rabl.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rabl, T., Kühlmann, T.M. Understanding Corruption in Organizations – Development and Empirical Assessment of an Action Model. J Bus Ethics 82, 477–495 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9898-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9898-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation