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The effect of ethical responsibility on performance

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  • Stein, Caroline
  • Untertrifaller, Anna

Abstract

In a laboratory real-effort experiment, we study the effect of responsibility on performance. Specifically, we analyze whether being responsible for an ethical or unethical work environment affects workers’ performance. Using a specific randomization technique, we can separate the responsibility effect from a possible selection effect. We find that workers who prefer to work in an ethical work environment perform better if they are also responsible for it, compared to a situation where it was imposed on them. We do not find this positive incentive effect of responsibility for workers that prefer an unethical work environment. Moreover, we observe that if an unethical environment was imposed, workers who prefer an ethical environment perform worse than those whose preference are aligned with the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Stein, Caroline & Untertrifaller, Anna, 2020. "The effect of ethical responsibility on performance," MPRA Paper 99176, University Library of Munich, Germany.
  • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:99176
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Niina Zuber & Jan Gogoll & Severin Kacianka & Alexander Pretschner & Julian Nida-Rümelin, 2022. "Empowered and embedded: ethics and agile processes," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-13, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    real-effort experiment; responsibility; decision rights; incentive; ethical behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • M59 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Other

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