Abstract
Researchers consistently report that individuals see themselves acting far more ethically than comparable others when confronted with ethically uncertain work-related behaviors. They suggest that this belief encourages unethical conduct and contributes to the degeneration of business ethics; however, they have not specifically investigated the consequences of this belief. If undesirable work behaviors actually do occur, educators and other ethics advocates would be strongly encouraged to dispel this widely held notion.
In the present study, data was collected from college students and practicing accountants regarding how they and others would respond to ten ethical scenarios. Participants' perceptions were calculated and correlated to their decision in a hypothetical business case. Analysis indicated that individuals, regardless of age, gender, or work status, see themselves acting far more ethically than others. It also disclosed significant association between participants' own attitudes and the case response, but no significant association between the response and their attitudes relative to those perceived to be held by others. Believing that everyone else is less ethical, therefore, appears to have little impact on work behavior.
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Thomas Tyson is Associate Professor of accounting at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York. Dr. Tyson earned his Doctors degree in Accounting and Masters degrees in Business Administration, and Counseling Education. He has published articles in a variety of academic and professional journals includingThe Journal of Business Ethics, andManagement Accounting. Two of hisManagement Accounting articles received Certificate of Merit awards.
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Tyson, T. Does believing that everyone else is less ethical have an impact on work behavior?. J Bus Ethics 11, 707–717 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01686351
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01686351