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The impact of ethical climate types on facets of job satisfaction: An empirical investigation

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Abstract

This study examines the impact of ethical climate types (professionalism, caring, rules, instrumental, efficiency, and independence) on various facets of job satisfaction (pay, promotions, co-workers, supervisors, and work itself) in a large non-profit organization. Professionalism was the most reported and efficiency was the least reported ethical climate type in the organization. Among various facets of job satisfaction, respondents were most satisfied with their work and least satisfied with their pay. None of the climate types significantly influenced satisfaction with pay. A professional climate significantly influenced satisfaction with promotions, supervisors, and work. It also significantly influenced overall job satisfaction. Those respondents who believed that their organization had caring climate were more satisfied with their supervisors. An instrumental climate had a significant negative influence on overall job satisfaction and satisfaction with promotions, co-workers, and supervisors. Rules, efficiency, and independence climate types did not significantly affect any facets of job satisfaction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management, Haworth College of Business, Western Michigan University, 49008-3806, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Satish P. Deshpande

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  1. Satish P. Deshpande
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Satish Deshpande is an Associate Professor of Management at Haworth College of Business, Western Michigan University. He teaches human resource management courses. His current research interests include business ethics, managerial decision-making, and applied psychology in human resource issues. His publications include articles in the Academy of Management Journal, Compensation and Benefits Review, Human Relations, Journal of Small Business Management, and Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.

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Deshpande, S.P. The impact of ethical climate types on facets of job satisfaction: An empirical investigation. J Bus Ethics 15, 655–660 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00411800

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