RT Article
T1 Toward Effective Codes: Testing the Relationship with Unethical Behavior
JF Journal of business ethics
VO 99
IS 2
SP 233
OP 251
A1 Kaptein, Muel 1969-
LA English
YR 2011
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1785641212
AB A business code of ethics is widely regarded as an important instrument to curb unethical behavior in the workplace. However, little is empirically known about the factors that determine the impact of a code on unethical behavior. Besides the existence of a code, this article studies five determining factors: the content of the code, the frequency of communication activities surrounding the code, the quality of the communication activities, and the embedment of the code in the organization by senior management as well as local management. The full model explains 32% of observed unethical behavior while the explanatory value of a code alone is very modest. The study shows when codes are effective, and even when they become counter effective.
K1 Compliance
K1 Leadership
K1 Communication
K1 Unethical Behavior
K1 business code of ethics
DO 10.1007/s10551-010-0652-5