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Moral Reactions to Bribery are Fundamentally Different for Managers Witnessing and Managers Committing Such Acts: Tests of Cognitive-Emotional Explanations of Bribery

Author

Listed:
  • Ekta Sharma

    (Ahmedabad University)

  • Richard P. Bagozzi

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

We investigate how paying a bribe or refusing a bribe differs between observing others doing this or committing such acts oneself. Study 1 examines how and when observing others paying a bribe or refusing a bribe leads to actions opposing bribery or supporting anti-bribery. The how question is answered by showing that positive and negative emotions mediate such responses; the when question is answered by demonstrating that empathy and the social self-concept constitute personal conditions for regulating such effects. Study 2 scrutinizes how and when paying a bribe or refusing a bribe leads to actions reducing bribery. Here the mediators pride and shame, and the social self-concept again regulates such effects. Actual managers are the respondents in these two field experiments, with 140 men and women in Study 1 and 207 men and women in Study 2.

Suggested Citation

  • Ekta Sharma & Richard P. Bagozzi, 2022. "Moral Reactions to Bribery are Fundamentally Different for Managers Witnessing and Managers Committing Such Acts: Tests of Cognitive-Emotional Explanations of Bribery," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 177(1), pages 95-124, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:177:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-021-04743-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-021-04743-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xie, Chunyan & Bagozzi, Richard P. & Grønhaug, Kjell, 2019. "The impact of corporate social responsibility on consumer brand advocacy: The role of moral emotions, attitudes, and individual differences," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 514-530.
    2. Bagozzi, Richard P. & Sekerka, Leslie E. & Sguera, Francesco, 2018. "Understanding the consequences of pride and shame: How self-evaluations guide moral decision making in business," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 271-284.
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    4. Joseph McKinney & Carlos Moore, 2008. "International Bribery: Does a Written Code of Ethics Make a Difference in Perceptions of Business Professionals," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 79(1), pages 103-111, April.
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