An experimental examination of the effects of individual and situational factors on unethical behavioral intentions in the workplace

Journal of Business Ethics 15 (5):511 - 523 (1996)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Using a 2×2×2 experimental design, the effects of situational and individual variables on individuals' intentions to act unethically were investigated. Specifically examined were three situational variables: (1) quality of the work experience (good versus poor), (2) peer influences (unethical versus ethical), and (3) managerial influences (unethical versus ethical), and three individual variables: (4) locus of control, (5) Machiavellianism, and (6) gender, on individuals' behavioral intentions in an ethically ambiguous dilemma in an work setting. Experiment 1 revealed main effects for quality of work experience, Machiavellianism, locus of control, and an interaction effect for peer influences and managerial influences. Experiment 2 showed main effects for all three situational variables and Machiavellianism. Neither experiment supported gender differences. Limitations, future research, and implications for management are discussed.

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 90,221

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Analytics

Added to PP
2009-01-28

Downloads
102 (#156,786)

6 months
2 (#658,980)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

References found in this work

The Prince.Niccolò Machiavelli & Luigi Ricci - 1995 - Hackett Publishing Company. Edited by Peter Constantine.
White Collar Crime.Edwin H. Sutherland - 1952 - Science and Society 16 (2):183-186.

Add more references