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Navigating the Ethical Terrain Around the Challenges of Fake News and False Narratives: An Integrative Literature Review and a Proposed Agenda for Future Research

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  • Pramukh Nanjundaswamy Vasist

    (Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode)

  • Satish Krishnan

    (Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode)

Abstract

Research on fake news and false narratives is growing, and their ethical implications are increasingly garnering academic attention. This escalating crisis demands prompt consideration since its proliferation poses a significant threat to organizations and societies. As scholarly investigations garner pace in this field of inquiry, it warrants a critical appraisal of the extant body of knowledge on ethical issues related to fake news and false narratives. To this end, we analyze this growing corpus of research through an integrative review. We discuss the themes that emerge from the review, leverage key observations to establish links with business ethics, and offer propositions and a conceptual framework that serves as a basis for scholars to advance the literary space at the nexus of falsehood and business ethics. We deliberate on potential future research avenues and implications to practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Pramukh Nanjundaswamy Vasist & Satish Krishnan, 2025. "Navigating the Ethical Terrain Around the Challenges of Fake News and False Narratives: An Integrative Literature Review and a Proposed Agenda for Future Research," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 196(2), pages 473-493, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:196:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-024-05686-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-024-05686-z
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