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Business Ethics: The Promise of Neuroscience

Author

Listed:
  • Diana C. Robertson

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Christian Voegtlin

    (University of Zurich)

  • Thomas Maak

    (University of South Australia)

Abstract

Recent advances in cognitive neuroscience research portend well for furthering understanding of many of the fundamental questions in the field of business ethics, both normative and empirical. This article provides an overview of neuroscience methodology and brain structures, and explores the areas in which neuroscience research has contributed findings of value to business ethics, as well as suggesting areas for future research. Neuroscience research is especially capable of providing insight into individual reactions to ethical issues, while also raising challenging normative questions about the nature of moral responsibility, autonomy, intent, and free will. This article also provides a brief summary of the papers included in this special issue, attesting to the richness of scholarly inquiry linking neuroscience and business ethics. We conclude that neuroscience offers considerable promise to the field of business ethics, but we caution against overpromise.

Suggested Citation

  • Diana C. Robertson & Christian Voegtlin & Thomas Maak, 2017. "Business Ethics: The Promise of Neuroscience," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 144(4), pages 679-697, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:144:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s10551-016-3312-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-016-3312-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Vladimir S. Zhechev & Denitsa P. Zhecheva, 2019. "Ethical Branding €“ Corporate Commitment Or Compliance With Contemporary Trends," Annals of marketing-mba, Department of Marketing, Marketing MBA (RSconsult), vol. 4, December.
    3. Gazi Islam, 2017. "Editorial Essay: Mapping the Ethical in Neuroscientific Research," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 144(4), pages 677-678, September.
    4. Ronald Paul Hill, 2020. "Freedom of the Will and Consumption Restrictions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 164(2), pages 311-324, June.
    5. Jin Ho Yun & Yaeri Kim & Eun-Ju Lee, 2022. "ERP Study of Liberals’ and Conservatives’ Moral Reasoning Processes: Evidence from South Korea," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 176(4), pages 723-739, April.
    6. Lu Zhang & Shenggang Ren & Xiaohong Chen & Dayuan Li & Duanjinyu Yin, 2020. "CEO Hubris and Firm Pollution: State and Market Contingencies in a Transitional Economy," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(2), pages 459-478, January.
    7. Alexander Newman & Huong Le & Andrea North-Samardzic & Michael Cohen, 2020. "Moral Disengagement at Work: A Review and Research Agenda," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(3), pages 535-570, December.
    8. Shuili Du & Assaad El Akremi & Ming Jia, 2023. "Quantitative Research on Corporate Social Responsibility: A Quest for Relevance and Rigor in a Quickly Evolving, Turbulent World," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 187(1), pages 1-15, September.
    9. Gazi Islam, 2020. "Psychology and Business Ethics: A Multi-level Research Agenda," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 1-13, August.
    10. Matej Drašček & Adriana Rejc Buhovac & Dana Mesner Andolšek, 2021. "Moral Pragmatism as a Bridge Between Duty, Utility, and Virtue in Managers’ Ethical Decision-Making," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 172(4), pages 803-819, September.

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