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A Model of Ethical Decision Making: The Integration of Process and Content

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  • Roselie McDevitt
  • Catherine Giapponi
  • Cheryl Tromley

Abstract

We develop a model of ethical decision making that integrates the decision-making process and the content variables considered by individuals facing ethical dilemmas. The process described in the model is drawn from Janis and Mann’s [1977, Decision Making: A Psychological Analysis of Conflict Choice and Commitment (The Free Press, New York)] work describing the decision process in an environment of conflict, choice and commitment. The model is enhanced by the inclusion of content variables derived from the ethics literature. The resulting integrated model aids in understanding the complexity of the decision process used by individuals facing ethical dilemmas and suggests variable interactions that could be field-tested. A better understanding of the process will help managers develop policies that enhance the likelihood of ethical behavior in their organizations. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2007

Suggested Citation

  • Roselie McDevitt & Catherine Giapponi & Cheryl Tromley, 2007. "A Model of Ethical Decision Making: The Integration of Process and Content," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 73(2), pages 219-229, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:73:y:2007:i:2:p:219-229
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-006-9202-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. McCabe, Donald L. & Trevino, Linda Klebe & Butterfield, Kenneth D., 1996. "The Influence of Collegiate and Corporate Codes of Conduct on Ethics-Related Behavior in the Workplace," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(4), pages 461-476, October.
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    1. Fouilloux, Jessica & Moraux, Franck & Viviani, Jean-Laurent, 2015. "Investing in finite-life carbon emissions reduction program under risk and idiosyncratic uncertainty," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 310-320.
    2. Ya-Hui Hsu & Wenchang Fang & Yuanchung Lee, 2009. "Ethically Questionable Behavior in Sales Representatives – An Example from the Taiwanese Pharmaceutical Industry," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 88(1), pages 155-166, April.
    3. Chase Thiel & Zhanna Bagdasarov & Lauren Harkrider & James Johnson & Michael Mumford, 2012. "Leader Ethical Decision-Making in Organizations: Strategies for Sensemaking," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 107(1), pages 49-64, April.
    4. Rafael Morales & Carmen Cabello, 2012. "Improving Ethical Decision-Making in Organizations through Ethical Competencies," Working Papers 12.02, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Business Organization and Marketing (former Department of Business Administration).
    5. Rafael Morales-Sánchez & Manuel Orta-Pérez & M. Ángeles Rodríguez-Serrano, 2020. "The Benefits of Auditors’ Sustained Ethical Behavior: Increased Trust and Reduced Costs," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 166(2), pages 441-459, October.
    6. Ashari Ashari & Marthin Nanere & Philip Trebilcock, 2018. "Corruption awareness and ethical decision making in Indonesia," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center, vol. 14(3), pages 570-586, June.
    7. J. Kuntz & J. Kuntz & Detelin Elenkov & Anna Nabirukhina, 2013. "Characterizing Ethical Cases: A Cross-Cultural Investigation of Individual Differences, Organisational Climate, and Leadership on Ethical Decision-Making," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 113(2), pages 317-331, March.
    8. Timo Busch & Volker Hoffmann, 2009. "Ecology-Driven Real Options: An Investment Framework for Incorporating Uncertainties in the Context of the Natural Environment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 90(2), pages 295-310, December.
    9. George Gotsis & Zoe Kortezi, 2010. "Ethical Considerations in Organizational Politics: Expanding the Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 93(4), pages 497-517, June.
    10. Luca Casali, Gian & Perano, Mirko, 2021. "Forty years of research on factors influencing ethical decision making: Establishing a future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 614-630.
    11. Willy Bolander & William J. Zahn & Terry W. Loe & Melissa Clark, 2017. "Managing New Salespeople’s Ethical Behaviors during Repetitive Failures: When Trying to Help Actually Hurts," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 144(3), pages 519-532, September.
    12. Geert Demuijnck, 2009. "From an Implicit Christian Corporate Culture to a Structured Conception of Corporate Ethical Responsibility in a Retail Company: A Case-Study in Hermeneutic Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 84(3), pages 387-404, February.
    13. McVea, John F., 2009. "A field study of entrepreneurial decision-making and moral imagination," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 24(5), pages 491-504, September.
    14. Dianru Zhang & Chi Zhang & Li Wang, 2023. "Preventing Moral Crisis and Promoting Sustainable Development in Enterprises: A Study of Managers’ Moral Decision-Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-18, July.
    15. Matthew A. Douglas & Stephen M. Swartz, 2017. "Knights of the Road: Safety, Ethics, and the Professional Truck Driver," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 142(3), pages 567-588, May.
    16. Dariusz Turek & Agnieszka Wojtczuk-Turek, 2011. "Competence as a determinant of employees' unethical behavior (Kompetencyjne uwarunkowania nieetycznego zachowania pracownikow)," Problemy Zarzadzania, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 9(34a), pages 127-146.
    17. repec:pab:wpbsad:12.03 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. 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.
    19. Guido Palazzo & Franciska Krings & Ulrich Hoffrage, 2012. "Ethical Blindness," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 109(3), pages 323-338, September.

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