Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A behavioral model of ethical and unethical decision making

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

Abstract

A model is developed which identifies and describes various factors which affect ethical and unethical behavior in organizations, including a decision-maker's social, government and legal, work, professional and personal environments. The effect of individual decision maker attributes on the decision process is also discussed. The model links these influences with ethical and unethical behavior via the mediating structure of the individual's decision-making process.

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.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams-Weber, J. R.: 1969, ‘Generalized Expectancies Concerning Locus of Control Reinforcements and the Perception of Moral Sanctions’, British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 8, 340–343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allison, G. T.: 1971, Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis, Boston: Little, Brown & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business Accreditiation Council Procedures and Standards: 1983, AACSB, St. Louis, MO.

  • Anderson, R., R. Perrucci, D. Schendel, and L. E. Trachman: 1980, Divided Loyalties: Whisle Blowing at BART', West LaFayette, IN: Purdue University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aubert, U.: 1952, ‘White-Collar Crime and Social Structure’, American Journal of Sociology 58, 263–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A.: 1971, ‘Analysis of Modeling Process’, in A. Bandura (ed.), Psychological Modeling, Chicago: Atherton, Aldine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A.: 1977, Social Learning Theory, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benbasat, I. and R. N. Taylor: 1978, ‘The Impact of Cognitive Styles on Information Systems Design’, Management Information Systems Quarterly 2, 43–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bieri, J., A. L. Atkins, S. Briar, R. L. Leaman, H. Miller, and T. Tripodi: 1966, Clinical and Social Judgement, New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaylock, B. K. and L. P. Rees: 1984, ‘Cognitive Style and the Usefulness of Information’, Decision Sciences 15, 74–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boulding, K.: 1966, ‘The Ethics of Rational Decision’, Management Science 12, 161–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowie, N.: 1982, Business Ethics, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brady, F. N.: 1985, ‘A Janus-Head Model of Ethical Theory: Looking Two Ways at Business/Society Issues’, Academy of Management Review 10(3), 568–576.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broome, T. H.: 1983, ‘New Developments in Engineering Ethics: The AAES Plan’, in V. Weil (ed.), Beyond Whistle-blowing, pp. 228–242, Chicago, IL: Illinois Institute of Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braverman, I., S. Vogel, D. Braverman, F. Clarkson, and P. Rosenkrantz: 1972, ‘Sex-Role Stereotypes: A Current Appraisal’, Journal of Social Issues 28, 58–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Budner, S.: 1962, ‘Intolerance of Ambiguity as a Personality Variable’, Journal of Personality 30, 29–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burkett, S. R. and E. Jensen: 1975, ‘Conventional Ties, Peer Influence, and the Fear of Apprehension: A Study of Adolescent Marijuana Use’, Sociological Quarterly 16, 523–553.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, A. Z.: 1983, ‘Is Business Bluffing Ethical?’, in B. Vincent (ed.), Moral Issues in Business, pp. 17–24, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, A. B.: 1975, ‘Managerial Ethics; A Post-Watergate View’, Business Horizons 18, 75–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clausen, J. A.: 1968, ‘Perspectives on Childhood Socialization’, in J. Clausen (ed.), Socialization and Society, Boston: Little, Brown & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coder, R.: 1975, Moral Judgement in Adults, Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota.

  • Cohan, R. M. and J. Whitcover: 1980, ‘A Heartbeat Away’, in R. Baum (ed.), Ethical Problems in Engineering: Cases, 2nd edition, Vol. 2, pp. 52–57, Troy, NY: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S. E.: 1976, Social and Personality Development in Childhood, New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowder, J. W.: 1976, The Defining Issues Test and Correlates of Moral Judgment, Unpublished master's thesis, University of Maryland.

  • DeGeorge, R. T.: 1978, Ethics, Free Enterprise and Public Policy, New York: Oxford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickson, J. W.: 1978, ‘Perceptions of Risk as Related to Choice in a Two-Dimensional Risk Situation’, Psychological Reports 44, 1059–1062.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donald, J. and P. Bradshaw: 1981, ‘Occupational and Life Stress and the Family’, Small Group Behavior 12, 329–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dortzbach, J. R.: 1975, Moral Judgment and Perceived Locus of Control: A Cross-Sectional Developmental Study of Adults, Aged 25–74, Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Oregon.

  • Elliott, A.: 1976, ‘Fakers: A Study of Managers: Responses on a Personality Test’, Personnel Review 5, 33–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • England, G. W.: 1967, ‘Personal Value Systems of American Managers’, Academy of Management Journal 10, 53–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairweather, V.: 1980, ‘$80,000 in Payoffs’, in R. J. Baum (ed.), Ethical Problems in Engineering: Cases, 2nd edition, Vol. 2, pp. 50–51, Troy, NY: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flores, A.: 1980, ‘The Problem of Professionalism: A Code of Ethics’, in A. Flores (ed.), Ethical Problems in Engineering; Readings, 2nd edition, Vol. 1, pp. 1–6, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flores, A. (ed.): 1982, Designing for Safety: Engineering Ethics in Organizational Contents, Troy, NY: Center for the Study of the Human Dimensions of Science and Technology, Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freedman, J. L., D. O. Sears, and J. M. Carlsmith: 1981, Social Psychology, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, S. J. M. and J. W. Giefink: 1979, ‘Moral Judgment as a Function of Age, Sex, and Stimulus’, Journal of Psychology 102, 43–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frost, B. P. and R. K. Frost: 1962, ‘The Pattern of WISC Scores in a Group of Juvenile Sociopaths’, Journal of Clinical Psychology 18, 354–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geis, G.: 1973, ‘Deterring Corporate Crime’, in R. Nader and M. J. Green (eds.), Deterring Corporate Crime, pp. 182–197, New York: Grossman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geis, G. and E. Stotland: 1980, White-Collar Crime Theory and Research, Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillis, J. G.: 1981, ‘Securities Law and Regulation’, Financial Analysts Journal 37, 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, K. M. and S. Blackman: 1978, Cognitive Style: Five Approaches and Relevant Research, New York: Wiley-Interscience.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grasmick, H. and E. Green: 1980, ‘Legal Punishment, Social Disapproval, and Internalization as Inhibitors of Illegal Behavior’, Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology 71, 325–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gravander, J. W.: 1981, ‘The Origin and Implications of Engineers' Obligations to the Public Welfare’, in P. D. Asquith and R. N. Giere (eds.), PSA 1980, Vol. 2, pp. 443–455, East Lansing, Michigan: The Philosophy of Science Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gravander, J. W.: 1982, ‘When in Rome, Do as Who?’, The Liberal Studies Educator 4, 23–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halberstam, D.: 1972, The Best and the Brightest, New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegarty, W. H. and H. Sims: 1979, ‘Organizational Philosophy, Policies, and Objectives Related to Unethical Decision Behavior: A Laboratory Experiment’, Journal of Applied Psychology 64, 331–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, J. C. and P. C. Nutt: 1979, ‘The Influence of Decision Style on Decision Making Behavior’, Management Science 26, 371–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodges, L.: 1963, The Business Conscience, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogarth, R.: 1980, Judgement and Choice: The Psychology of Decision, New York: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janis, I.: 1972, Victims of Groupthink, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. K. and J. Gormly: 1972, ‘Academic Cheating: The Contribution of Sex, Personality, and Situational Variables’, Developmental Psychology 6, 320–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kagan, J.: 1984, The Nature of the Child, New York: Basic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kilman, R. H. and I. I. Mitroff: 1976, ‘Qualitative Versus Quantitative Analysis for Management Science: Different Forms for Different Psychological Types’, Management Science 22, 19–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohlberg, L.: 1969, ‘Stage and Sequence: The Cognitive-Developmental Approach to Socialization’, in D. Goslin (ed.), Handbook of Socialization Theory and Research, pp. 347–480, Chicago: Rand McNally.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohlberg, L.: 1971, ‘From Is to Ought (How to Commit the Naturalistic Fallacy and Get Away with It in the Study of Moral Development)’, in T. Mischel (ed.), Cognitive Development and Epistemology, pp. 151–235, New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohn, P. M. and R. V. Hughson: 1980, ‘Perplexing Problems in Engineering Ethics’, Chemical Engineering 75, 132–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Layton, E. T.: 1981, The Revolt of the Engineers, Cleveland, OH: Case Western Reserve University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leugenbiehl, H. C.: 1983, ‘Moral Education and the Codes of Ethics’, in V. Weil (ed.), Beyond Whistleblowing: Defining Engineers' Responsibilities, pp. 284–299, Chicago, IL: Illinois Institute of Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lykken, D. T.: 1957, ‘A Study of Anxiety in the Sociopathic Personality’, Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology 55, 6–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, N.: 1982, Conceptions of Self and Morality and Modes of Moral Choice, Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Harvard University.

  • Maqsud, M.: 1980, ‘Locus of Control and Stages of Moral Reasoning’, Psychological Reports 46, 1243–1248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, M. and R. Schinzinger: 1983, Ethics in Engineering, New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, J. B., K. E. Goodpaster, and L. L. Nash: 1985, Policies and Persons: A Casebook in Business Ethics, New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mautz, R., R. Reilly, and M. Maher: 1979, ‘Personnel Failure: The Weak Link in Internal Control’, Financial Executive 47, 22–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • May, L.: 1983, ‘Professional Action and Professional Liability’, in V. Weil (ed.), Beyond Whistleblowing: Defining Engineers’ Responsibilities, pp. 211–227, Chicago, IL: Illinois Institute of Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGowan, W.: 1983, ‘The Great White Collar Cover-up’, Business and Society Review, 25–31.

  • McLean, S. D.: 1978, ‘Ethics, Reference Group Theory, and the Root Metaphor Analysis’, Andover Newton Quarterly 14, 211–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mednick, S. A., L. Kirkegaard-Sorensen, B. Hutchings, J. Knop, R. Rosenburg, and F. Schulsinger: 1977, ‘The Interplay of Socioenvironmental and Individual Factors in the Etiology of Criminal Behavior’, in S. Mednick and K. O. Christiansen (eds.), Biosocial Bases of Criminal Behavior, New York: Gardner Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meier, R. F. and G. Geis: 1982, ‘The Psychology of the White-Collar Offender’, in G. Geis (ed.), On White-Collar Crime, Lexington, MA: Lexington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milgram, S.: 1963, ‘Behavioral Study of Obedience’, Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology 67, 317–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milgram, S.: 1965, ‘Some Conditions of Obedience and Disobedience to Authority’, Human Relations 18, 57–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monsen, R. J., B. O. Saxberg, and R. A. Sutermeister: 1966, ‘The Modern Manager: What Makes Him Run?’, Business Horizons 9, 23–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortimer, J. T.: 1980, ‘Occupational-Family Linkages as Perceived by Men in the Early Stages of Professional and Managerial Careers’, Research in the Interweave of Social Roles 1, 99–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, I. B.: 1962, Manual for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, M. L. and V. E. Day: 1982, ‘A Comparison of Moral Reasoning of Groups and Individuals on the “Defining Issues Test”’, Academy of Management Journal 25, 201–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oldenquist, A. G. and E. E. Slowter: 1979, ‘Proposed: A Single Code of Ethics for All Engineers’, Professional Engineer 49, 8–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavlovic, K. R.: 1980, ‘Autonomy and Obligation: Is there an Engineering Ethics?’, in A. Flores (ed.), Ethical Problems in Engineering: Readings, 2nd edition, Vol. 1, pp. 89–93, Troy, NY: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, D. R., H. C. Quay, and T. L. Tiffany: 1961, ‘Personality Factors Related to Juvenile Delinquency’, Child Development 32, 355–372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, J.: 1980, ‘The Effects of Personality on a Subject's Information Process: A Comment’, The Accounting Review 55, 501–506.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rest, J. R.: 1976, Moral Judgment Related to Sample Characteristics, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rotter, J. B.: 1966, ‘Generalized Expectancies for Internal Versus External Control of Reinforcement’, Psychological Monographs, 80 (Whole No. 609).

  • Schwartz, H. and S. M. Davis: 1981, ‘Matching Corporate Culture and Business Strategy’, Organizational Dynamics 10, 36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Senger, J.: 1971, ‘Managers' Perceptions of Subordinates' Competence as a Function of Personal Value Orientations’, Academy of Management Journal 14, 415–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H.: 1960, The New Science of Management, New York; Harper and Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H.: 1976, Administrative Behavior: A Study of Decision Making Processes in Administrative Organization, New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staff: 1979, ‘Gifts to Buyers’, Purchasing, April 11, 19.

  • Steiner, G., J. Miner, and E. Gray: 1982, Management Policy and Strategy, New York: MacMillan Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taggart, W. and D. Robey: 1981, ‘Mind and Managers: On the Dual Nature of Human Information Processing and Management’, Academy of Management Review 6, 187–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, R. E.: 1984, ‘White Collar Crime Getting Less Attention’, The Wall Street Journal, Vol. 203, No. 23, p. 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Unger, S. H.: 1982, Controlling Technology: Ethics and the Responsible Engineer, New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandivier, K.: 1980, ‘Engineers, Ethics, and Economics’, in R. Baum (ed.), Ethical Problems in Engineering: Cases, 2nd edition, Vol. 2, pp. 136–138, Troy, NY: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Velasquez, M. G.: 1980, Business Ethics: Concepts and Cases, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, L. and J. P. Wilson: 1980, ‘Motivation and Moral Development as Determinants of Behavioral Acquiescence and Moral Action’, Journal of Social Psychology 112, 271–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheelen, L. and J. D. Hunger: 1984, Strategy Management, Reading, MA.: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witkin, H. A., P. K. Oltman, R. K. Ruskin, and S. A. Karp: 1971, The Embedded Figures Test, Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologist Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zmud, R. W.: 1979, ‘Individual Differences in MIS Success: A Review of the Empirical Literature’, Management Science 25, 966–979.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clarkson University, 13676, Potsdam, NY, U.S.A.

    Michael Bommer, Clarence Gratto, Jerry Gravander & Mark Tuttle

Authors
  1. Michael Bommer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Clarence Gratto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jerry Gravander
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mark Tuttle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Michael Bommer, Clarence Gratto, Jerry Gravander and Mark Tuttle all come from Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY.

Michael Bommer is Professor and Chairman of the Dept. of Management. He is co-author of two books. His articles have been published in several journals.

Clarence Gratto is Assistant Professor of Business Law.

Jerry Gravander is Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Liberal Studies and he has written several articles, published in Technology Review, Journal of the Humanities and Technology and Journal of the International Society for Technology Assessment.

Mark Tuttle is Assistant Professor at the School of Management and he is the author of articles which appeared in Journal of Vocational Behavior and Journal of Educational Psychology.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bommer, M., Gratto, C., Gravander, J. et al. A behavioral model of ethical and unethical decision making. J Bus Ethics 6, 265–280 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382936

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382936

Keywords

Search

Navigation