Perceptions of Deception: Making Sense of Responses to Employee Deceit

In this research, we examine the effects that customer perceptions of employee deception have on the customers’ attitudes toward an organization. Based on interview, archival, and observational data within the international airline industry, we develop a model to explain the complex effects of perce...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Jehn, Karen A. (Author) ; Scott, Elizabeth D. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Published: 2008
In: Journal of business ethics
Year: 2008, Volume: 80, Issue: 2, Pages: 327-347
Further subjects:B Sensemaking
B customer service
B perceived dishonesty
B Qualitative Research
B Reputation
B customer’s perception of a company (CPC)
B Blame
B Image
B causal attributions
B employee deception
Online Access: Volltext (JSTOR)
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Summary:In this research, we examine the effects that customer perceptions of employee deception have on the customers’ attitudes toward an organization. Based on interview, archival, and observational data within the international airline industry, we develop a model to explain the complex effects of perceived dishonesty on observer’s attitudes and intentions toward the airline. The data revealed three types of perceived deceit (about beliefs, intentions, and emotions) and three additional factors that influence customer intentions and attitudes: the players involved, the beneficiaries of the deceit, and the harm done by the perceived lie. We develop a model with specific propositions to guide organizations with respect to apparently deceitful behavior of their employees. Implications and directions for future research are provided, focusing on the question of whether organizations should consistently encourage honesty or train their employees to be effective liars.
ISSN:1573-0697
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of business ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s10551-007-9423-3