Year: 2012
Type: book-chapter
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study investigates whether and how the perception of the 'organizational ethical environment' varies across groups of individuals at different hierarchical levels.We drew on research on organizational identity and social identity to investigate whether different opinions on ethical context are held by different subgroups of managers and nonmanagerial personnel.Extant research suggests that senior managers are likely to express significantly more positive perceptions of organizational ethics when compared with employees in non-managerial positions.However it remains silent on how middle and lower managers portray the internal ethical environment, even though these managers act as 'linking pins' across levels, possibly influencing other organizational members, both upwards and downwards.Data from over 1,500 respondents were collected in a large corporation operating in the utility sector.Our findings suggest that perception of the ethical environment varies significantly across groups of organizational members.Consistent with our predictions, senior managers are likely to hold a rosier perspective of the ethical environment, while a more cynical approach is held by middle-and lower-level managers.
Authors: Chiara Mio, Alvise Favotto
Language: English
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2279718920