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Unethical Minds: Individual Characteristics that Predict Unethical Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Alessandro Bucciol

    (Department of Economics (University of Verona))

  • Fabio Landini

    (University of Siena)

  • Marco Piovesan

    (Harvard Business School)

Abstract

What are the individual characteristics that predict unethical behavior? To answer this question we randomly interviewed 541 passengers who used the bus in Reggio Emilia (Italy). Exploiting the high level of fare evasion (43% without a valid ticket) we find that young, male and non-Caucasian individuals in our sample are more likely to travel without a ticket. Interestingly, traveling with others affects the probability of holding a valid ticket but its effect depends on who the passenger and the others are. Finally, we find that all passengers’ beliefs on fine costs, ticket inspection frequency, and number of passengers without ticket are surprisingly close with actual figures. However, cheaters perceive inspections as more frequent than those traveling with a valid ticket.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Bucciol & Fabio Landini & Marco Piovesan, 2012. "Unethical Minds: Individual Characteristics that Predict Unethical Behavior," Working Papers 24/2012, University of Verona, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ver:wpaper:24/2012
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fabio Sabatini, 2005. "Un atlante del capitale sociale italiano," Urban/Regional 0512013, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Uri Gneezy, 2005. "Deception: The Role of Consequences," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 95(1), pages 384-394, March.
    3. Joel Slemrod, 2007. "Cheating Ourselves: The Economics of Tax Evasion," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 21(1), pages 25-48, Winter.
    4. Houser, Daniel & Vetter, Stefan & Winter, Joachim, 2012. "Fairness and cheating," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(8), pages 1645-1655.
    5. Del Monte, Alfredo & Papagni, Erasmo, 2007. "The determinants of corruption in Italy: Regional panel data analysis," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 23(2), pages 379-396, June.
    6. Dan Ariely & Nina Mazar, 2006. "Dishonesty in everyday life and its policy implications," Working Papers 06-3, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Barabino, Benedetto & Salis, Sara & Useli, Bruno, 2014. "Fare evasion in proof-of-payment transit systems: Deriving the optimum inspection level," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 1-17.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cheating; fare evasion; individual characteristics; unethical behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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