Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Journal of Business and Psychology 3/2017

23.06.2016 | Original Paper

Situating Ethical Behavior in the Nomological Network of Job Performance

verfasst von: Teresa L. Russell, Taylor E. Sparks, John P. Campbell, Kristina Handy, Peter Ramsberger, James A. Grand

Erschienen in: Journal of Business and Psychology | Ausgabe 3/2017

Einloggen

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche, um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

Purpose

Our objective was to generate, define, and evaluate behavioral dimensions of ethical performance at work that are common across United States occupations.

Design/Methodology/Approach

This project involved three studies. Study 1 involved (a) qualitative review of published literature, professional codes of ethics, and critical incidents of (un)ethical performance and resulted in (b) behavioral dimensions and ethical performance rating scales. The second and third studies used a retranslation methodology to evaluate the ethical performance dimensions from Study 1. The behavioral dimensions were linked to the performance determinants (personal attributes) in Study 3.

Findings

Study 1 resulted in draft dimension definitions and rating scales for 10 ethical performance dimensions. In Studies 2 and 3, retranslation data provided strong support for 10 behavioral dimensions of ethical performance at work. Results from Study 3 shed light on possible relationships among the performance dimensions based on their underlying performance determinants.

Implications

Communicating an organization’s ethical standards to employees is important because some ethical breakdowns can be attributed to simply failing to recognize an ethical matter (in: DeCremer, Managerial ethics: Managing the psychology of morality, Routledge, New York, 2011). Definitions of ethical behavior in the workplace provide a tool for researchers, employers, and employees to communicate about ethical situations and a foundation for folding ethics into employee training and performance management.

Originality/Value

These studies provide a taxonomy of ethical performance at work that generalizes to a diverse array of occupations and industries, and dimensions and rating scales have value for performance management, training/curriculum development, job analysis, predictor development and/or validation, and additional research.

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Fußnoten
1
We reviewed articles from the following journals: Accountability in Research: Policies and Quality Assurance, and American Psychologist; Business Ethics: A European Review, Business Ethics Quarterly, Canadian Psychology, Ethics & Behavior, European Journal of Personality, Group & Organizational Management, Journal of Applied Communication Research, Journal of Educational Psychology, Journal of Management, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Journal of Personnel Psychology, Leadership Quarterly, Medical Teacher, Organizational Dynamics, Organization Science, Personality and Individual Differences, and Western Journal of Nursing Research.
 
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Alexander, C. S., & Becker, H. J. (1978). The use of vignettes in survey research. Public Opinion Quarterly, 42, 93–104.CrossRef Alexander, C. S., & Becker, H. J. (1978). The use of vignettes in survey research. Public Opinion Quarterly, 42, 93–104.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Borman, W. C., & Motowidlo, S. M. (1993). Expanding the criterion domain to include elements of contextual performance (p. 71). Personnel Selection in Organizations; San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Borman, W. C., & Motowidlo, S. M. (1993). Expanding the criterion domain to include elements of contextual performance (p. 71). Personnel Selection in Organizations; San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Zurück zum Zitat Broome, M. E., Pryor, E., Habermann, B., Pulley, L., & Kincaid, H. (2005). The Scientific Misconduct Questionnaire—Revised (SMQ-R): Validation and psychometric testing. Accountability in Research, 12, 263–280.CrossRefPubMed Broome, M. E., Pryor, E., Habermann, B., Pulley, L., & Kincaid, H. (2005). The Scientific Misconduct Questionnaire—Revised (SMQ-R): Validation and psychometric testing. Accountability in Research, 12, 263–280.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Brown, M. E., & Treviño, L. K. (2006). Ethical leadership: A review and future directions. The Leadership Quarterly, 17, 595–616.CrossRef Brown, M. E., & Treviño, L. K. (2006). Ethical leadership: A review and future directions. The Leadership Quarterly, 17, 595–616.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Brown, M. E., Treviño, L. K., & Harrison, D. A. (2005). Ethical leadership: A social learning perspective for construct development and testing. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 97, 117–134.CrossRef Brown, M. E., Treviño, L. K., & Harrison, D. A. (2005). Ethical leadership: A social learning perspective for construct development and testing. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 97, 117–134.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Campbell, J. P. (2012). Behavior, performance, and effectiveness in the 21st century. In S. Kozlowski (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of organizational psychology (Vol. 1). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Campbell, J. P. (2012). Behavior, performance, and effectiveness in the 21st century. In S. Kozlowski (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of organizational psychology (Vol. 1). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Campbell, J. P., McCloy, R. A., Oppler, S. H., & Sager, C. E. (1993). A theory of performance. In N. Schmitt & W. Borman (Eds.), Personnel selection in organizations (pp. 35–70). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Campbell, J. P., McCloy, R. A., Oppler, S. H., & Sager, C. E. (1993). A theory of performance. In N. Schmitt & W. Borman (Eds.), Personnel selection in organizations (pp. 35–70). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Zurück zum Zitat Campbell, J. P., & Wiernik, B. (2015). The modeling and assessment of performance at work. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 2, 47–74.CrossRef Campbell, J. P., & Wiernik, B. (2015). The modeling and assessment of performance at work. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 2, 47–74.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Collins, D. (2000). The quest to improve the human condition: The first 1,500 articles published in Journal of business ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 26, 1–73.CrossRef Collins, D. (2000). The quest to improve the human condition: The first 1,500 articles published in Journal of business ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 26, 1–73.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Colquitt, J. A. (2001). On the dimensionality of organizational justice: A construct validation of a measure. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86, 386–400.CrossRefPubMed Colquitt, J. A. (2001). On the dimensionality of organizational justice: A construct validation of a measure. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86, 386–400.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat DeCremer, D. (2011). On the psychology of dealing with ethical failures: A behavioral ethics approach. In M. Schminke (Ed.), Managerial ethics: Managing the psychology of morality. New York: Routledge. DeCremer, D. (2011). On the psychology of dealing with ethical failures: A behavioral ethics approach. In M. Schminke (Ed.), Managerial ethics: Managing the psychology of morality. New York: Routledge.
Zurück zum Zitat Ethics Resource Center. (2014). National Business Ethics Survey ® of the U.S. workforce. Arlington, VA: Author. Ethics Resource Center. (2014). National Business Ethics Survey ® of the U.S. workforce. Arlington, VA: Author.
Zurück zum Zitat Fiedler, F. E., Mitchell, T., & Triandis, H. C. (1972). The culture assimilator: An approach to cross-cultural training, 55, 95–102. Fiedler, F. E., Mitchell, T., & Triandis, H. C. (1972). The culture assimilator: An approach to cross-cultural training, 55, 95–102.
Zurück zum Zitat Flanagan, J. C. (1954). The critical incident technique. Psychological Bulletin, 51, 327–358.CrossRefPubMed Flanagan, J. C. (1954). The critical incident technique. Psychological Bulletin, 51, 327–358.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Foldes, H. L. J. (2006). Ethical Misconduct of Senior Leaders: Counterproductive Work Behaviors at the Top (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Foldes, H. L. J. (2006). Ethical Misconduct of Senior Leaders: Counterproductive Work Behaviors at the Top (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Zurück zum Zitat Gatewood, R. D., & Carroll, A. B. (1991). Assessment of ethical performance of organization members: A conceptual framework. Academy of Management Review, 16, 667–690. Gatewood, R. D., & Carroll, A. B. (1991). Assessment of ethical performance of organization members: A conceptual framework. Academy of Management Review, 16, 667–690.
Zurück zum Zitat Gaumnitz, B. R., & Lere, J. C. (2002). Contents of codes of ethics of professional business organizations in the United States. Journal of Business Ethics, 35, 35–49.CrossRef Gaumnitz, B. R., & Lere, J. C. (2002). Contents of codes of ethics of professional business organizations in the United States. Journal of Business Ethics, 35, 35–49.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Helton-Fauth, W., Gaddis, B., Scott, G., Mumford, M., Devenport, L., Connelly, S., & Brown, R. (2003). A new approach to assessing ethical conduct in the scientific work. Accountability in Research, 10, 205–228.CrossRefPubMed Helton-Fauth, W., Gaddis, B., Scott, G., Mumford, M., Devenport, L., Connelly, S., & Brown, R. (2003). A new approach to assessing ethical conduct in the scientific work. Accountability in Research, 10, 205–228.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Kaptein, M. (2008). Developing a measure of unethical behavior in the workplace: A stakeholder perspective. Journal of Management, 34(5), 978–1008.CrossRef Kaptein, M. (2008). Developing a measure of unethical behavior in the workplace: A stakeholder perspective. Journal of Management, 34(5), 978–1008.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kaptein, M. (2010). The ethics of organizations: A longitudinal Study of the U.S. working population. Journal of Business Ethics, 92, 601–608.CrossRef Kaptein, M. (2010). The ethics of organizations: A longitudinal Study of the U.S. working population. Journal of Business Ethics, 92, 601–608.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Keith, N. K., Pettijohn, C. E., & Burnett, M. S. (2003). An empirical evaluation of the effect of peer and managerial ethical behaviors and the ethical predispositions of prospective advertising employees. Journal of Business Ethics, 48, 251–265.CrossRef Keith, N. K., Pettijohn, C. E., & Burnett, M. S. (2003). An empirical evaluation of the effect of peer and managerial ethical behaviors and the ethical predispositions of prospective advertising employees. Journal of Business Ethics, 48, 251–265.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kellerman, B. (2004). Bad leadership: What it is, how it happens, why it matters. Boston: Harvard Business School Press. Kellerman, B. (2004). Bad leadership: What it is, how it happens, why it matters. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Khuntia, R., & Suar, D. (2004). A scale to assess ethical leadership of Indian private and public sector managers. Journal of Business Ethics, 49, 13–26.CrossRef Khuntia, R., & Suar, D. (2004). A scale to assess ethical leadership of Indian private and public sector managers. Journal of Business Ethics, 49, 13–26.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kish-Gephart, J. J., Harrison, D. A., & Treviño, L. K. (2010). Bad apples, bad cases, and bad barrels: Meta-analytic evidence about sources of unethical decisions at work. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95, 1–31.CrossRefPubMed Kish-Gephart, J. J., Harrison, D. A., & Treviño, L. K. (2010). Bad apples, bad cases, and bad barrels: Meta-analytic evidence about sources of unethical decisions at work. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95, 1–31.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Kohlberg, L. (1969). Stage and sequence. The cognitive-developmental approach to socialization. In D. A. Goslin (Ed.), Handbook of socialization theory and research. Chicago: Rand McNally. Kohlberg, L. (1969). Stage and sequence. The cognitive-developmental approach to socialization. In D. A. Goslin (Ed.), Handbook of socialization theory and research. Chicago: Rand McNally.
Zurück zum Zitat Lipman-Blumen, J. (2004). The allure of toxic leaders: Why we follow destructive bosses and corrupt politicians—And how we can survive them. New York: Oxford University Press. Lipman-Blumen, J. (2004). The allure of toxic leaders: Why we follow destructive bosses and corrupt politicians—And how we can survive them. New York: Oxford University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Mallard, G. C., & Lance, C. E. (1998). Development and evaluation of a parent-employee interrole conflict scale. Social Indicators Research, 45, 343–370.CrossRef Mallard, G. C., & Lance, C. E. (1998). Development and evaluation of a parent-employee interrole conflict scale. Social Indicators Research, 45, 343–370.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Martin, K. D., & Cullen, J. B. (2006). Continuities and extensions of ethical climate theory: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Business Ethics, 69, 175–194.CrossRef Martin, K. D., & Cullen, J. B. (2006). Continuities and extensions of ethical climate theory: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Business Ethics, 69, 175–194.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Mayer, D. M. (2014). A review of the literature on ethical climate and culture. In B. Schneider & K. M. Barbera (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of organizational climate and culture (pp. 415–440). New York: Oxford University Press. Mayer, D. M. (2014). A review of the literature on ethical climate and culture. In B. Schneider & K. M. Barbera (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of organizational climate and culture (pp. 415–440). New York: Oxford University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Mesmer-Magnus, J. R., & Viswesvaran, C. (2005). Whistleblowing in organizations: An examination of correlates of whistleblowing intentions, actions, and retaliation. Journal of Business Ethics, 62, 277–297.CrossRef Mesmer-Magnus, J. R., & Viswesvaran, C. (2005). Whistleblowing in organizations: An examination of correlates of whistleblowing intentions, actions, and retaliation. Journal of Business Ethics, 62, 277–297.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat O’Fallon, M. J., & Butterfield, K. D. (2005). A review of the empirical ethical decision-making literature: 1996–2003. Journal of Business Ethics, 59, 375–413.CrossRef O’Fallon, M. J., & Butterfield, K. D. (2005). A review of the empirical ethical decision-making literature: 1996–2003. Journal of Business Ethics, 59, 375–413.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Pan, Y., & Sparks, J. R. (2012). Predictors, consequence, and measurement of ethical judgments: Review and meta-analysis. Journal of Business Research, 65, 84–91.CrossRef Pan, Y., & Sparks, J. R. (2012). Predictors, consequence, and measurement of ethical judgments: Review and meta-analysis. Journal of Business Research, 65, 84–91.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Peterson, D. K. (2002). The relationship between unethical behavior and the dimensions of the ethical climate questionnaire. Journal of Business Ethics, 41, 313–326.CrossRef Peterson, D. K. (2002). The relationship between unethical behavior and the dimensions of the ethical climate questionnaire. Journal of Business Ethics, 41, 313–326.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Rest, J. (1986). Moral development: Advances in research and theory. New York: Prager. Rest, J. (1986). Moral development: Advances in research and theory. New York: Prager.
Zurück zum Zitat Schubert, S., Ortwein, H., Dumitsch, A., Schwantes, U., Wilhelm, O., & Kiessling, C. (2008). A situational judgment test of professional behavior: Development and validation. Medical Teacher, 30, 528–533.CrossRefPubMed Schubert, S., Ortwein, H., Dumitsch, A., Schwantes, U., Wilhelm, O., & Kiessling, C. (2008). A situational judgment test of professional behavior: Development and validation. Medical Teacher, 30, 528–533.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Smith, P. C., & Kendall, L. M. (1963). Retranslation of expectations: An approach to the construction of unambiguous anchors for rating scales. Journal of Applied Psychology, 47, 149–155.CrossRef Smith, P. C., & Kendall, L. M. (1963). Retranslation of expectations: An approach to the construction of unambiguous anchors for rating scales. Journal of Applied Psychology, 47, 149–155.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Spector, P. E., & Fox, S. (2010). Counterproductive work behavior and organisational citizenship behavior: Are they opposite forms of active behavior? Applied Psychology: An International Review, 59(1), 21–39.CrossRef Spector, P. E., & Fox, S. (2010). Counterproductive work behavior and organisational citizenship behavior: Are they opposite forms of active behavior? Applied Psychology: An International Review, 59(1), 21–39.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Spector, P. E., Fox, S., Penney, L. M., Bruursema, K., Goh, A., & Kessler, S. (2006). The dimensionality of counterproductivity: Are all counterproductive behaviors created equal? Journal of Vocational Behavior, 68(3), 446–460.CrossRef Spector, P. E., Fox, S., Penney, L. M., Bruursema, K., Goh, A., & Kessler, S. (2006). The dimensionality of counterproductivity: Are all counterproductive behaviors created equal? Journal of Vocational Behavior, 68(3), 446–460.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Stark, S., Chernyshenko, O., Drasgow, F., & Williams, B. (2006). Examining assumptions about item responding in personality assessment: should ideal point methods be considered for scale development and scoring? Journal of Applied Psychology, 91, 25–39.CrossRefPubMed Stark, S., Chernyshenko, O., Drasgow, F., & Williams, B. (2006). Examining assumptions about item responding in personality assessment: should ideal point methods be considered for scale development and scoring? Journal of Applied Psychology, 91, 25–39.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Stevens, B. (2001). Hospitality ethics: Responses from human resource directors and students to seven ethical scenarios. Journal of Business Ethics, 30, 233–242.CrossRef Stevens, B. (2001). Hospitality ethics: Responses from human resource directors and students to seven ethical scenarios. Journal of Business Ethics, 30, 233–242.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Tenbrunsel, A. E., & Smith-Crowe, K. (2008). Ethical decision making: Where we’ve been and where we’re going. Academy Management Annals, 2, 545–607.CrossRef Tenbrunsel, A. E., & Smith-Crowe, K. (2008). Ethical decision making: Where we’ve been and where we’re going. Academy Management Annals, 2, 545–607.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Treviño, L. K., den Nieuwenboer, N. A., & Kish-Gephart, J. J. (2014). (Un) Ethical behavior in organizations. Annual Review of Psychology, 65, 635–660.CrossRefPubMed Treviño, L. K., den Nieuwenboer, N. A., & Kish-Gephart, J. J. (2014). (Un) Ethical behavior in organizations. Annual Review of Psychology, 65, 635–660.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Treviño, L. K., Weaver, G. R., & Reynolds, S. J. (2006). Behavioral ethics in organizations: A review. Journal of Management, 32, 951–990.CrossRef Treviño, L. K., Weaver, G. R., & Reynolds, S. J. (2006). Behavioral ethics in organizations: A review. Journal of Management, 32, 951–990.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Vardi, Y. (2001). The effects of organizational and ethical climates on misconduct at work. Journal of Business Ethics, 29, 325–337.CrossRef Vardi, Y. (2001). The effects of organizational and ethical climates on misconduct at work. Journal of Business Ethics, 29, 325–337.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Vitell, S. J., Dickerson, E. B., & Festervand, T. A. (2000). Ethical problems, conflicts and beliefs of small business professionals. Journal of Business Ethics, 28, 15–24.CrossRef Vitell, S. J., Dickerson, E. B., & Festervand, T. A. (2000). Ethical problems, conflicts and beliefs of small business professionals. Journal of Business Ethics, 28, 15–24.CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
Situating Ethical Behavior in the Nomological Network of Job Performance
verfasst von
Teresa L. Russell
Taylor E. Sparks
John P. Campbell
Kristina Handy
Peter Ramsberger
James A. Grand
Publikationsdatum
23.06.2016
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Journal of Business and Psychology / Ausgabe 3/2017
Print ISSN: 0889-3268
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-353X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-016-9454-9

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 3/2017

Journal of Business and Psychology 3/2017 Zur Ausgabe

Premium Partner