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Organizational Role and Environmental Uncertainty as Influences on Ethical Work Climate in Military Units

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Abstract

In addition to a person’s character and training, the organization’s ethical work climate (EWC) can assess how the organization influences an individual’s ethical decision-making process by examining the individuals’ perception of “what is the right thing to do” in a particular organizational environment. Relatively little research has explored which EWCs dominate military units and the impact of organizational role and environmental uncertainty on individuals in the military and their ethical decision making. In this study, we examined the predominant EWCs among military units and found that certain organizational influences are associated with the specific EWCs. Based on these discoveries, we discuss the implications of EWC studies and the influence of organizational role and environmental uncertainty for researchers, as well as military leaders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, U.S.A.

    James Weber & Virginia W. Gerde

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  1. James Weber
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  2. Virginia W. Gerde
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Correspondence to James Weber.

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Weber, J., Gerde, V.W. Organizational Role and Environmental Uncertainty as Influences on Ethical Work Climate in Military Units. J Bus Ethics 100, 595–612 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-010-0698-4

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