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Individual Character: Towards Empirical Investigation

Author

Listed:
  • Weragoda, R. B. L
  • Opatha, H. H. D. N. P

Abstract

The study of individual character is an essential area for organizational research as it is instrumental in ensuring ethical behavior at individual and organization level. However it is observed in the literature that this area has been largely untapped and especially moral and social dimensions of character have been ignored in contemporary studies. Further, it is observed that character and related terms, i.e. virtues, morality, ethos and values have been widely used interchangeably due to conceptual ambiguity (the ontological basis) and certain instruments used for empirical investigations potentially suffer due to methodological ambiguity (the epistemological basis) of the construct. In this paper, we have formulated a conceptually sound definition which provides a clear direction for future empirical investigations and facilitates to differentiate individual character from other related terms. Finally, we propose certain missing and new dimensions of individual character and recommend promising research directions in order to further expand content validity of the construct.

Suggested Citation

  • Weragoda, R. B. L & Opatha, H. H. D. N. P, 2016. "Individual Character: Towards Empirical Investigation," International Business Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 9(7), pages 55-63, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibn:ibrjnl:v:9:y:2016:i:7:p:55-63
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mitchell Neubert & Dawn Carlson & K. Kacmar & James Roberts & Lawrence Chonko, 2009. "The Virtuous Influence of Ethical Leadership Behavior: Evidence from the Field," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 90(2), pages 157-170, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    character; character strength; ethos; morality; virtues;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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