Abstract

Kuper states that a human being must be regarded as a social being whose development has been different from that of animals because of social relationships, cultures, and his or her concept of good and evil. He further states this evolutionary advantage explains human development rather than genetic evolution, which is relatively slow; and it also lies at the origin of their enhanced capacity for adapting to his or her environment. Moral development theorists have been concluding that as human beings mature, that is grow older and gain more experience, their ethical values will tend to improve and they will become morally sophisticated. Theorists further conclude that this development can even take place as an individual reaches his or her thirties and forties. Researchers in human behavior also suggest that individuals develop their ethical values through their family life, school, religion, and other social influences . Ettorre further states that ethical sophistication and development requires learning from experience and case studies, because there are many difficult business ethical dilemmas which requires prior training and familiarity. ;This research uses Clark's instrument, which has been updated by Stephenson, Galbraith, and Grimm ; as well as other researchers , to measure Personal Business Ethics Scores of Supermarket managers and employees. The PBES measures personal commitment to integrity, honesty, and observance of the laws regulating current business activities. This research takes into consideration the respondents' age, supermarket management experience, and gender. This study contributes to the theory of moral development as it is tested in the Supermarket Industry for the first time. ;The results of this research suggest that age, supermarket management experience, and gender are factors which affect the moral development of supermarket associates and managers. Kohlberg's moral development theory is supported by this research