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Exploring the Socio-moral Climate in Organizations: An Empirical Examination of Determinants, Consequences, and Mediating Mechanisms

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  • Armin Pircher Verdorfer

  • Brigitte Steinheider
  • David Burkus

Abstract

During the last decade, an increasing amount of research has focused on the ethical context in organizations. Among the recent approaches in this area is the construct of socio-moral climate (SMC), which adopts a developmental perspective and refers to specific elements of organizational climate that include communication, cooperation, and how organizations handle conflict. In this article, we present the results of three empirical studies, shedding light on the nomological network of SMC. Whereas the first study introduces a short SMC measure, the other two studies examined antecedents and outcomes of SMC as well as related mediating mechanisms. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed good fit indices of the 21-item measure of SMC with five subscales. Structural equation modeling confirmed a strong relationship with servant leadership as antecedent to SMC. In turn, employees who perceived a positive SMC were less likely to experience feelings of organizational cynicism and to engage in deviant behaviors. Results indicate that SMC accounted for additional variance above and beyond perceived overall justice. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Armin Pircher Verdorfer & Brigitte Steinheider & David Burkus, 2015. "Exploring the Socio-moral Climate in Organizations: An Empirical Examination of Determinants, Consequences, and Mediating Mechanisms," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 132(1), pages 233-248, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:132:y:2015:i:1:p:233-248
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-014-2319-0
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    1. Wolfgang G. Weber & Christine Unterrainer & Thomas Hoege, 2008. "Sociomoral Atmosphere and Prosocial and Democratic Value Orientations in Enterprises with Different Levels of Structurally Anchored Participation," Zeitschrift fuer Personalforschung. German Journal of Research in Human Resource Management, Rainer Hampp Verlag, vol. 22(2), pages 171-194.
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    1. K. Praveen Parboteeah & Matthias Weiss & Martin Hoegl, 2024. "Ethical Climates Across National Contexts: A Meta-Analytical Investigation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 189(3), pages 573-590, January.
    2. Maxim Egorov & Armin Pircher Verdorfer & Claudia Peus, 2019. "Taming the Emotional Dog: Moral Intuition and Ethically-Oriented Leader Development," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 160(3), pages 817-834, December.
    3. Thomas Höge & Cornelia Strecker & Melanie Hausler & Alexandra Huber & Stefan Höfer, 2020. "Perceived Socio-moral Climate and the Applicability of Signature Character Strengths at Work: a Study among Hospital Physicians," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 463-484, April.
    4. Jinqiang Zhu & Shiyong Xu & Kan Ouyang & David Herst & Elaine Farndale, 2018. "Ethical leadership and employee pro-social rule-breaking behavior in China," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 17(1), pages 59-81, February.
    5. Christopher Chan & Subramaniam Ananthram, 2019. "Religion-Based Decision Making in Indian Multinationals: A Multi-faith Study of Ethical Virtues and Mindsets," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 156(3), pages 651-677, May.
    6. Severin Hornung & Thomas Hoge & Christine Unterrainer, 2025. "Neoliberal Ideology versus Humanist Ideals: Political, Social, and Fantasmatic Logics," Scientia Moralitas Journal, Scientia Moralitas, Research Institute, vol. 10(1), pages 1-26, July.
    7. Chad A. Hartnell & Amanda Christensen-Salem & Fred O. Walumbwa & Derek J. Stotler & Flora F. T. Chiang & Thomas A. Birtch, 2023. "Manufacturing Motivation in the Mundane: Servant Leadership’s Influence on Employees’ Intrinsic Motivation and Performance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(3), pages 533-552, December.

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