Cross‐national assessment of the effects of income level, socialization process, and social conditions on employees’ ethics

Abstract

Employees often experience ethical dilemmas throughout their service in an organization. This study utilized a multilevel standpoint to address employees’ differences in ethical reasoning. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze responses from 40,485 full‐time employees across 54 countries. Drawing from Durkheim's concepts of the homo duplex, socialization process, and social conditions, this study found a positive relationship between employees’ income level and unethical reasoning. Furthermore, the results indicate that modern social regulation, technological advancement, economic development, and economic change moderate the relationship between income and ethical judgment. The study findings contribute to the Durkheimian model by validating the effects of individual‐ and country‐level factors on employees’ ethicality. Considering that the results contradict Durkheim's initial propositions, another concept and theory are proposed, which may complement Durkheim's arguments. Practical implications for organizations and society are further discussed to reinforce employees’ ethics.

Cross‐sector alliances in the global refugee crisis: An institutional theory approach

“…The NBS theory theorizes that national education systems and citizens' educational levels may affect CSR practices (Chapple & Moon, 2005; Matten & Moon, 2008). Tuliao, Chen, and Yeh (2020) found that employees' ethicality differed considerably across countries. In the context of the global refugee crisis, research has shown that refugees pose little challenge to skilled workers because most refugees seek career opportunities with low levels of skills (Scheve & Slaughter, 2001).…”