Moral Differentiation: Exploring Boundaries of the “Monkey See, Monkey Do” Perspective [Book Review]
Journal of Business Ethics 102 (3):379-399 (2011)
Abstract |
Research in ethical decision making has consistently demonstrated a positive relationship between others’ unethical behavior and observers’ unethical behavior, providing support for the “Monkey See, Monkey Do” perspective (e.g., Robinson and O’Leary-Kelly, Acad Manage J 41:658–672, 1998 ). However, the boundaries of this relationship have received little research attention. Guided by theory and research in interpersonal distancing, we explore these boundaries by proposing and examining “moral differentiation,” the set of individual and situational characteristics that affect the degree to which one is willing to be influenced by others’ unethical behavior. Using data from 655 undergraduate business students in two U.S. universities, we test moderating hypotheses regarding the influence of moral differentiation characteristics on the relationship between others’ unethical behavior and observers’ unethical behavior. Results suggest that strong moral identity, low need for affiliation, and extraversion weaken the relationship between others’ unethical behavior and observers’ unethical behavior. Implications for managers and future research are discussed
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Keywords | ethical decision making extraversion interpersonal distancing moral differentiation moral identity need for affiliation |
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DOI | 10.1007/s10551-011-0820-2 |
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References found in this work BETA
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Citations of this work BETA
A Review of the Empirical Ethical Decision-Making Literature: 2004–2011. [REVIEW]Jana L. Craft - 2013 - Journal of Business Ethics 117 (2):221-259.
The Influence of Unethical Peer Behavior on Observers' Unethical Behavior: A Social Cognitive Perspective. [REVIEW]Michael J. O’Fallon & Kenneth D. Butterfield - 2012 - Journal of Business Ethics 109 (2):117-131.
Impacts of Peers’ Unethical Behavior on Employees’ Ethical Intention: Moderated Mediation by Machiavellian Orientation.Pablo Ruiz-Palomino, Alexis Bañón-Gomis & Jorge Linuesa-Langreo - 2019 - Business Ethics: A European Review 28 (2):185-205.
Does Bad Company Corrupt Good Morals? Social Bonding and Academic Cheating Among French and Chinese Teens.Elodie Gentina, Thomas Li-Ping Tang & Qinxuan Gu - 2017 - Journal of Business Ethics 146 (3):639-667.
An Integrative Model of the Influence of Parental and Peer Support on Consumer Ethical Beliefs: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem, Power, and Materialism.Elodie Gentina, L. J. Shrum, Tina M. Lowrey, Scott J. Vitell & Gregory M. Rose - 2018 - Journal of Business Ethics 150 (4):1173-1186.
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