Skip to main content
Log in

Relationships among Perceived Organizational Core Values, Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethics, and Organizational Performance Outcomes: An Empirical Study of Information Technology Professionals

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

Abstract

This study is an extension of our recent ethics research in direct marketing (2003) and information technology (2007). In this study, we investigated the relationships among core organizational values, organizational ethics, corporate social responsibility, and organizational performance outcome. Our analysis of online survey responses from a sample of IT professionals in the United States indicated that managers from organizations with organic core values reported a higher level of social responsibility relative to managers in organizations with mechanistic values; that managers in both mechanistic and organic organizations which were perceived as more socially responsible were also perceived as more ethical; and that perceived ethical attitudes and social responsibility were significantly associated with organizational performance outcome measures. Our article discusses research premises, conceptual framework, hypotheses, research methodology, data analysis, recommendations for further research, and conclusions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  • Adler, P. S., & Borys, B. (1996). Two Types of Bureaucracy: Enabling and Coercive. Administrative Science Quarterly, 41, 61-89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agle, B. R, Mitchell, R. K., & Sonnenfeld, J. A. (1999). Who matters to CEOs? An investigation of stakeholder attributes and salience, corporate performance, and CEO values. Academy of Management Journal, 42 (5), 507-525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Argandona, A. (2003). Fostering values in organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 45(1), 15-28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aupperle, K. E., Carroll, A. B., & Hatfield, J. D. (1985). An Empirical Examination of the Relationship Between Corporate Social Responsibility and Profitability. Academy of Management Journal, 28(2), 446-464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baskerville, R. L., & Wood-Harper, A. T. (1996). A Critical Perspective on Action Research as a Method for Information Systems Research. Journal of Information Technology, 11, 235-246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basu, K., & Palazzo, G. (2008). Corporate Social Responsibility: A Process Model of Sensemaking, Academy of Management Review , 33(1), 122-136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennis, W. (1977). Bureaucracy and social change: An anatomy of a training failure. In Mirvis, P. H. and Berg, D. N. Failures in Organization Development and change: Cases and essays for learning , New York: Wiley-Interscience.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beurden, P. V. & Gossling, T. (2008) The Worth of Values – A Literature Review on the Relation Between Corporate Social and Financial Performance, Journal of Business Ethics, 82, 407–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beyer, J. M. & Trice, H. M. (1981) Managerial Ideologies and the Use of Discipline. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, August 2-5, (San Diego, California).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhallacharya, C. B., Smith, N. C., & Vogel, D. (2004). Integrating Social Responsibility and Marketing Strategy. California Management Review, 47(1), 1-8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birge, E. M. K. (1999). How to measure IT Performance. Beyond Computing, 8 (January-February), 67-71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bone, P. F. & Coley, R. J. (1998). Moral reflections in marketing. Journal of Macromarketing, 18(2), 104-115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brunsson, N.. (1982). The Irrationality of Action and Action Rationality: Decisions, Ideologies and Organizational Actions. Journal of Management Studies, 19, 1, 29-44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, T. & Stalker, G. M. (1961). The Management of Innovation. London: Social Science Paperbacks.

    Google Scholar 

  • Business Week, ‹We Have Reinvented Ourselves Many Times’, Issue 3824 (3/17/2003), 88, 2/3p, 1c

  • Checkland, P., & Scholes, J. (1999). Soft Systems Methodology in Action, Chichester: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochran, P. L. & Wood, R. A. (1984). Corporate social responsibility and financial performance. Academy of Management Journal (pre-1986), 27(1), 42-56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drozdenko, R. & Jin, K. G. (2008). The Effects of Ethics Code Enforcement and Organizational Value Systems on Employee Ethics: A Study of Two Professional Groups. International Journal of Business and Public Administration, 5 (2), 11-19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferratt, O. C., & Short, L. (1986). Are Information Systems People Different: An Investigation of Motivational Differences. MIS Quarterly , 10(4), 377-388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrell, O. C. & Skinner, S. J. (1988). Ethical Behavior and Bureaucratic Structure in Marketing Research Organizations. Journal of Marketing Research, 25(February), 103-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finegan, J. E. (2000). The impact of person and organizational values on organizational commitment. Journal of Occupational & Organizational Psychology, 73(2), 149-70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forcht, K. A. (1987). Survey of College Students Concerning Computer Ethics: Practitioner’s Views. James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA: Survey Instrument .

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginzberg, M. J. (1981). Key Recurrent Issues in the IS Implementation Process. MIS Quarterly, 5(2), 47-59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, R.: 1988, Diagnosing Organizational Ideology, Study Instrument (Development Research Associates Wiltshire, England)

  • Heinze, D., Sibary, S. & Sikula, A. (1999). Relations among corporate social responsibility, financial soundness, and investment value in 22 manufacturing industry groups. Ethics & Behavior, 9(4), 331-347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hemp, P. and T. A. Stewart: 2004, ‹Leading Change When Business is Good: An Interview with Samuel J. Palmisano (IBM CEO)’, Harvard Business Review (December), 1–11

  • Howard, R.: 1990, ‹Values Make the Company’, Harvard Business Review (September–October), 133–144

  • Hummel, R. P. (1982). The Bureaucratic Experience. New York: St. Martin’s Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hummel, R. P. (2008). The Bureaucratic Experience: the Post Modern Challenge. New York: M. E. Sharpe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, S. D. & Vitell, S. J. (1986). A general theory of marketing ethics. Journal of Marketing Research, 22 (February), 74-80.

    Google Scholar 

  • IBMers Value http://www.ibm.com/ibm/us/en/. Accessed 4 May 2009

  • Ives, B. & Olson, M. H. (1984). User Involvement and MIS Success: A Review of Research. Management Science, 30(5), 586-603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, K. G. (1991). On a Positive MIS Ideology. In J.M. Carey, (ed.), Human Factors in Information Systems: An Organizational Perspective (195-216). Norwood, N.J.: Ablex Publishing Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin, K. G. (1997). A Conceptual Framework and Research Strategy: Considerations in the Study of MIS Professional Ideology. in: J.M. Carey (ed.). Human Factors in Information Systems: Relationship Between User Interface Design and Human Performance. Chapter 11 (137-156). Norwood, N.J.: Ablex Publishing Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin, K. G. (2000). Power-Based Arbitrary Decisional Actions In the Resolution of MIS Project Issues: A Project Manager’s Action Research Perspective. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 13(3), 345-390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, K. G. & Drozdenko, R. (2003). Managers’ organizational values and ethical attitudes in the direct marketing industry. Business & Professional Ethics Journal, 22(4), 43-66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin, K. G. & Drozdenko, R. (2005). Values, Social Responsibility, Ethics, and Organizational Outcomes,” the 12th Annual International Promoting Business Ethics Conference Proceedings , St. John’s University, New York City Campus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin, K. G., Drozdenko, R. & Bassett, R. (2007). Information technology professionals’ perceived organizational values and managerial ethics: An empirical study. Journal of Business Ethics, 71(2), 149-159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, K. G. and R. Drozdenko: 2008, The Policy Implications of Our Empirical Research on Values, Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility and Organizational Outcomes: A Study of Information Professionals. International Technology, Education and Development Conference Proceedings, Valencia, Spain.

  • Kaiser, K. M. & Bostrom, R. P. (1982). Personality Characteristics of IS Project Teams: An Empirical Study and Action Research Design. MIS Quarterly, 6(4), 43-60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, R. S. & Norton, D. F. (1992). The balanced scoreboard—Measures that drive performance. Harvard Business Review, 70 (January-February), 71-79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, H. C. (1981). Implementation: The Key to Successful Information Systems, Columbia University Press: New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, H. C. (1999). Information Technology and the Productivity Paradox: Assessing the Value of Investing in IT. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marin, L., Ruiz, S., & Rubio, A. (2009). The Role of Identity Salience in the Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility on Consumer Behavior. Journal of Business Ethics. 84, 65–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markus, M. L.: 1981, Implementation Politics: Top Management and User Involvement. Information and Management, 1

  • Markus, M. L. (1983). Power, Politics and IS Implementation. Communication of the ACM, 26(6), 430-44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, E. W., Brown, C. V., DeHays, D. W., Hoffer, J. A., & Perkins, W. C. (2005). Managing Information Technology. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, D. (1960). The Human Side of Enterprise. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuire, J. B., Sundgren, A., & Schneeweis, T. (1988). Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm Financial Performance. Academy of Management Journal, 31(4), 854-874.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura, K.: October 2003, http://panasonic.co.jp/csr/en/message_president.html. Accessed 20 Jan 2006

  • Neff, T. J. & Citrin, J. M. (1999). Lessons from the TOP: Search for America’s Best Business Leaders. New York: Doubleday.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panasonic, Code of Conduct. http://panasonic.co.jp/company/en/conduct/index.html. Accessed 20 Jan 2006

  • Paradice, D.B. (1990). Ethical Attitudes of Entry-Level MIS Personnel. Information and Management, 18, 143-151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pascale, R. T., & Athos, A. G. (1981). The Art of Japanese Management: Applications for American Executives. New York: Simon and Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner, B. Z. & Schmidt, W. H. (1984). Values and the American Manager: An Update. California Management Review, 26(3), 202-216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner, B. Z. & Schmidt, W. H. (1992). Values and the American Manager: An Update Updated. California Management Review, 35(1), 80-94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ravlin, E.C. & Meglino, B.M. (1987). Effect of Values on Perception and Decision Making: A Study of Alternative Work Values Measures. Journal of Applied Psychology, 72(4),666-673.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shneiderman, B.: 1990, Human Values and the Future of Technology: Declaration of Empowerment. Keynote Address for ACM SIGCAS Conference

  • Singhapakdi, A., Kraft, K. L., Vitell, S., & Rallapalli, K. C. (1995). The perceived importance of ethics and social responsibility on organizational effectiveness: A survey of marketers. Academy of Marketing Journal, 23 (1), 49-57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sjoberg, G., Vaughan, T. R., & Williams, N. (1984). Bureaucracy as a Moral Issue. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 20(4), 441-453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, W. J., Wokutch, R. E., Harrington, K. V, & Dennis, B. S. (2004). Organizational Attractiveness and Corporate Social Orientation: Do Our Values Influence Our Preference for Affirmative Action and Managing Diversity? Business & Society, 43(1), 69-96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sproull, L.S. (1981). Beliefs in Organizations. In P.C. Nystrom and W.H. Starbuck (eds.), Handbook of Organizational Design: Remodeling Organizations and Their Environments, 203-204. London: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephenson, A.K.(2009). The Pursuit of CSR and Business Ethics Policies: Is it a Source of Competitive Advantage for Organizations? The Journal of American Academy of Business, 14(2), 251-262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, E. B. (1988). Information System Implementation: Bridging the Gap Between Design and Utilization, Homewood, IL: Richard D. Irwin, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tait, P., & Vassey, I. (1988). The Effect of User Involvement on System Success: A Contingency Approach. MIS Quarterly, 12(1) (March), 91-108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verschoor, C. C. (1999). Corporate Performance Is Closely Linked To A Strong Ethical Commitment. Business and Society Review, 104(4), 407-415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verschoor, C. C. (2005). Ethical Culture: Most Important Barrier to Ethical Misconduct. Strategic Finance, 87 (6), 19-20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitell, S. J. & Davis, D. L. (1990). Ethical Beliefs of MIS Professionals: The Frequency and Opportunity for Unethical Behavior. Journal of Business Ethics, 9, 63-70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitell, S. J. & Festervand, T. A. (1987). Business ethics: Conflicts, practices, and beliefs of industry executives. Journal of Business Ethics, 6, 111-122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitell, S. J. & Paolillo, J. G. P. (2004). Cultural study of the antecedents of the perceived role of ethics and social responsibility. Business Ethics: A European Review, 13(2/3), 185- 200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitell, S. J., Paolillo, J. G. P., & Thomas, J. L. (2003). The Perceived Role of Ethics and Social Responsibility: A Study of Marketing Professionals. Business Ethics Quarterly, 13(1), 63-86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y. (2009). Examination on Philosophy-Based Management of Contemporary Japanese Corporations: Philosophy, Value Orientation and Performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 84, 65-78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weick, K. E. (1969). The social psychology of organizing. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weill, P. (1990). Do Computers Pay Off? Washington, D.C.: ICIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zand, D. E. (1981). Information, Organization, and Power. New York: McGraw Hill Book Company.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. Gregory Jin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jin, K.G., Drozdenko, R.G. Relationships among Perceived Organizational Core Values, Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethics, and Organizational Performance Outcomes: An Empirical Study of Information Technology Professionals. J Bus Ethics 92, 341–359 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0158-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0158-1

Key words

Navigation