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Core Values, Culture and Ethical Climate as Constitutional Elements of Ethical Behaviour: Exploring Differences Between Family and Non-Family Enterprises

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Abstract

The research presented in this article aims to contribute both quantitatively and qualitatively to the discussion on family versus non-family businesses’ differences in ethical core values, culture and ethical climate. The purpose of our article is to better understand the association between the degree of involvement of a family in an enterprise and its influence on the enterprise’s core values, culture and ethical climate as the constitutional elements of enterprise ethical behaviour. The research indicates that family as well as non-family enterprises maintain positive attitudes towards the core values with ethical content. Regarding the type and strength of culture as well as the type of ethical climate, our research results indicate significant differences between family and non-family enterprises.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Maribor, Razlagova 14, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia

    Mojca Duh, Jernej Belak & Borut Milfelner

Authors
  1. Mojca Duh
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  2. Jernej Belak
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  3. Borut Milfelner
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Correspondence to Jernej Belak.

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Duh, M., Belak, J. & Milfelner, B. Core Values, Culture and Ethical Climate as Constitutional Elements of Ethical Behaviour: Exploring Differences Between Family and Non-Family Enterprises. J Bus Ethics 97, 473–489 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-010-0519-9

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