Do Business Ethics and Ethical Decision Making Still Matter: Perspective of Different Generational Cohorts

Abstract

Background:Research in business ethics shows that individual differences can influence one's ethical behaviour. In addition, variability in attitudes towards ethical issues among different generations is emphasized. Still, results are inconclusive and call for an additional examination of possible generational differences with regard to ethics and ethical values. Objectives: Our objective is to test if the perception of the importance of business ethics, attitudes towards ethical issues and aspects influencing ethical behaviour, differ among the four generations currently present in the workforce. Methods/Approach: Theoretical implications are empirically tested on a sample of 107 individuals, members of Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z. Results: In general, the results indicate that there are little or no generational differences related to the analysed aspects of business ethics. The significant difference is present only in the importance given to factors that influence ethical decision-making: (i) formal rules and procedures, (ii) performance management system and (iii) job pressures, between the members of Generation Z and older generations. Conclusions: In spite of employee diversity, ethics continues to present an important aspect of the business environment. Thus, organizations need to be oriented towards creating ethical leaders and a positive ethical climate that ensures that ethical values and behaviours are present throughout the organization.

Generation Z Within the Workforce and in the Workplace: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…A number of recent studies examine the characteristics of Generation Z (Gen Z) individuals (Gen Zers), their values (Maloni et al, 2019;Cresnar and Nedelko, 2020), their attitudes toward work and organizations (Barhate and Dirani, 2021), the way they adapt to the workplace (Chillakuri, 2020), and even distinguishing intragenerational variants within this cohort (Scholz, 2019;Leslie et al, 2021), as well as its similarities and differences with other generations (Hernaus and Poloski Vokic, 2014;Klopotan et al, 2020;Mahmoud et al, 2021), but mostly with Generation Y (Raslie and Ting, 2021). Given the need to adapt in the workplace not only for the latest generation, but for the cohesion and cooperation between generations, this adds extra difficulty to the human resources management (HRM), and to an efficient workflow and environment in the workplace.…”

Simulation of stakeholders’ consensus on organizational technology acceptance (case study: Internet of Things)

“…Besides, ethical decision-making starts with enterprise leaders and managers. They can generate a positive ethical atmosphere (Klopotan et al , 2020). Another role of leaders is to create an atmosphere of trust.…”

Building Value through Sales Ethics

“…While an individual’s background, demographic and work experience all play a role in the development of individual ethics (Cheng et al, 2013; Klopotan et al, 2020; Li & Murphy, 2012), organizational climate and structure can greatly influence the ethical motives of employees (Sulistiawan et al, 2020). When over 5,000 Wells Fargo employees opened two million falsified accounts, the public blamed management for creating an unethical environment (DiPietro, 2016).…”