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A Review of the Empirical Ethical Decision-Making Literature: 2004–2011

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Abstract

This review summarizes the research on ethical decision-making from 2004 to 2011. Eighty-four articles were published during this period, resulting in 357 findings. Individual findings are categorized by their application to individual variables, organizational variables, or the concept of moral intensity as developed by Jones (Acad Manag Rev 16(2):366–395, 1991). Rest’s (Moral development: advances in research and theory, Praeger, New York, 1986) four-step model for ethical decision-making is used to summarize findings by dependent variable—awareness, intent, judgment, and behavior. A discussion of findings in each category is provided in order to uncover trends in the ethical decision-making literature. A summary of areas of suggested future research is provided.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Dr. Alexandre Ardichvili of the University of Minnesota and Dr. Peggy Johnson of Saint Mary’s University for their assistance in reviewing this manuscript.

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  1. Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Jana L. Craft

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Appendix

Appendix

List of journals, abbreviations, and number of studies

Abbreviation

Journal

Studies

AAAJ

Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal

1

AE

Accounting Education

2

AMJ

Academy of Management Journal

2

B&S

Business & Society

1

BE:ER

Business Ethics: A European Review

6

BEQ

Business Ethics Quarterly

3

BSR

Business and Society Review

2

DSJ

Decision Sciences Journal

1

E&B

Ethics & Behavior

3

IJB

International Journal of Behavior

1

IJM

International Journal of Management

1

JAAB

The Journal of American Academy of Business

1

JAP

Journal of Applied Psychology

1

JBE

Journal of Business Ethics

52

JMI

Journal of Managerial Issues

1

JSBM

Journal of Small Business Management

2

MAJ

Managerial Auditing Journal

4

 

Total

84

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Craft, J.L. A Review of the Empirical Ethical Decision-Making Literature: 2004–2011. J Bus Ethics 117, 221–259 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1518-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1518-9

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