IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/advacc/v34y2016icp1-16.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Toward resolving the debate surrounding slippery slope versus licensing behavior: The importance of individual differences in accounting ethical decision making

Author

Listed:
  • Reckers, Philip
  • Samuelson, Melissa

Abstract

A great deal of attention, research and print space has been devoted to the role of the “slippery slope” in corporate malfeasance. Slippery slope refers to a pattern of behavior in which small unethical infractions lead to more egregious behaviors over time. In accounting, this escalation can relate to increasing dollar amounts or engaging in different behaviors reflecting increasing degrees of ethical grayness. Much of corporate malfeasance indeed relates accounting practices: theft fraud (Wells 2000, 2001a, 2001b, 2002) or fraudulent financial reporting (e.g., AIG, 2005; Bernie Madoff, 2008; Enron, 2001; Diamond Foods, 2012; HealthSouth, 2003; Lehman Brothers, 2008; Saytam, 2009; WorldCom, 2002). More recent research on compensatory ethics in psychology and business, however, has shown conflicting findings: that performing an initial unethical act can create an internal incentive to end or curtail subsequent unethical behavior; this behavior has also been referred to as a “licensing effect”, in which bad behavior is limited in how much individuals can license and still preserve their reputation or moral identity (Beaman et al., 1983; Brown, Rennekamp, Seybert, & Zhu, 2014; Freedman and Fraser, 1966; Gino and Bazerman, 2009; Joosetn et al., 2014; Murphy & Dacin, 2011; Zhong et al., 2010). It is our belief that both theories may be found to co-exist in accounting practice depending on individual characteristics. We conduct two studies to examine the role of individual differences in instances of malfeasance specifically related to accounting practices, heretofore largely ignored in the accounting literature. In Study One, we investigate the role of locus of control (Rotter, 1966) and negative affect (Crawford and Henry, 2004; Lowe and Reckers, 2012; Watson and Tellegen, 1985). In Study Two, we examine narcissism (Johnson et al., 2013; Little et al., 1992; Young et al., 2015) and moral disengagement (Bandura, 1999; Detert et al., 2008). Findings confirm hypotheses that both slippery slope and licensing patterns of behavior will manifest depending on individual differences among the participants.

Suggested Citation

  • Reckers, Philip & Samuelson, Melissa, 2016. "Toward resolving the debate surrounding slippery slope versus licensing behavior: The importance of individual differences in accounting ethical decision making," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 1-16.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:advacc:v:34:y:2016:i:c:p:1-16
    DOI: 10.1016/j.adiac.2016.07.003
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0882611016300931
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.adiac.2016.07.003?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Timothy J. Brown, 2014. "Advantageous Comparison and Rationalization of Earnings Management," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(4), pages 849-876, September.
    2. Murphy, Pamela R., 2012. "Attitude, Machiavellianism and the rationalization of misreporting," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 242-259.
    3. AfDB AfDB, . "African Development Report 2003," African Development Report, African Development Bank, number 20 edited by Adeleke Oluwole Salami, August.
    4. Antoinette Rijsenbilt & Harry Commandeur, 2013. "Narcissus Enters the Courtroom: CEO Narcissism and Fraud," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 117(2), pages 413-429, October.
    5. Stone, Dan N. & Kadous, Kathryn, 1997. "The Joint Effects of Task-Related Negative Affect and Task Difficulty in Multiattribute Choice," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 70(2), pages 159-174, May.
    6. Brian W. Mayhew & Pamela R. Murphy, 2014. "The Impact of Authority on Reporting Behavior, Rationalization and Affect," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(2), pages 420-443, June.
    7. Chen-Bo Zhong & Gillian Ku & Robert Lount & J. Murnighan, 2010. "Compensatory Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 92(3), pages 323-339, March.
    8. Shujun Ding & Philip Beaulieu, 2011. "The Role of Financial Incentives in Balanced Scorecard‐Based Performance Evaluations: Correcting Mood Congruency Biases," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(5), pages 1223-1247, December.
    9. Gino, Francesca & Ayal, Shahar & Ariely, Dan, 2013. "Self-serving altruism? The lure of unethical actions that benefit others," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 285-292.
    10. Editors, 2003. "Report of the Editors 2001-2002," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 71(1), pages 435-437, January.
    11. anonymous, 2003. "Annual Fed report tracks bank fees and services," Financial Update, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, vol. 16(Q 3).
    12. Forgas, Joseph P. & George, Jennifer M., 2001. "Affective Influences on Judgments and Behavior in Organizations: An Information Processing Perspective," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 86(1), pages 3-34, September.
    13. Joel Amernic & Russell Craig, 2010. "Accounting as a Facilitator of Extreme Narcissism," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 96(1), pages 79-93, September.
    14. -, 2003. "Report of the Grenada national yachting consultation," Sede Subregional de la CEPAL para el Caribe (Estudios e Investigaciones) 27528, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    15. Pamela Murphy & M. Dacin, 2011. "Psychological Pathways to Fraud: Understanding and Preventing Fraud in Organizations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 101(4), pages 601-618, July.
    16. Anne Joosten & Marius Dijke & Alain Hiel & David Cremer, 2014. "Feel Good, Do-Good!? On Consistency and Compensation in Moral Self-Regulation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 123(1), pages 71-84, August.
    17. D. Lowe & Philip Reckers, 2012. "An Examination of the Contribution of Dispositional Affect on Ethical Lapses," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 111(2), pages 179-193, December.
    18. Dennis Duchon & Brian Drake, 2009. "Organizational Narcissism and Virtuous Behavior," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 85(3), pages 301-308, March.
    19. anonymous, 2003. "Monetary policy report to the congress," Federal Reserve Bulletin, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.), issue Aug, pages 351-378.
    20. Kimberly Moreno & Thomas Kida & James F. Smith, 2002. "The Impact of Affective Reactions on Risky Decision Making in Accounting Contexts," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(5), pages 1331-1349, December.
    21. Aktas, Nihat & de Bodt, Eric & Bollaert, Helen & Roll, Richard, 2016. "CEO Narcissism and the Takeover Process: From Private Initiation to Deal Completion," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 51(1), pages 113-137, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Horvat Robert, 2018. "Impact of Selected Personality Traits on Accountants’ Attitudes Toward Accounts Manipulation: Evidence From Slovenia," Naše gospodarstvo/Our economy, Sciendo, vol. 64(3), pages 23-35, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Dao, Ngoc Tien & MILE 12, Chi Le Ngo & Nguyen, Quynh Huong & Nguyen, Thu Hang, 2013. "Participation of non-state actors in formulation of trade policy in Vietnam," Papers 921, World Trade Institute.
    2. Denholm, Paul, 2006. "Improving the technical, environmental and social performance of wind energy systems using biomass-based energy storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(9), pages 1355-1370.
    3. Ling L. Harris & Scott B. Jackson & Joel Owens & Nicholas Seybert, 2022. "Recruiting Dark Personalities for Earnings Management," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 178(1), pages 193-218, June.
    4. Frerich Buchholz & Kerstin Lopatta & Karen Maas, 2020. "The Deliberate Engagement of Narcissistic CEOs in Earnings Management," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(4), pages 663-686, December.
    5. Julien Maux & Nadia Smaili, 2024. "CEO narcissism, board of directors and disclosure quality: evidence from the readability of CEO letter," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 21(3), pages 341-358, September.
    6. Francesco Capalbo & Alex Frino & Ming Ying Lim & Vito Mollica & Riccardo Palumbo, 2018. "The Impact of CEO Narcissism on Earnings Management," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 54(2), pages 210-226, June.
    7. D. Lowe & Philip Reckers, 2012. "An Examination of the Contribution of Dispositional Affect on Ethical Lapses," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 111(2), pages 179-193, December.
    8. García-Meca, Emma & Ramón-Llorens, Maria-Camino & Martínez-Ferrero, Jennifer, 2021. "Are narcissistic CEOs more tax aggressive? The moderating role of internal audit committees," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 223-235.
    9. Christian Hauser, 2019. "Fighting Against Corruption: Does Anti-corruption Training Make Any Difference?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(1), pages 281-299, September.
    10. Jae C. Jung & Paul W. Beamish & Anthony Goerzen, 2008. "FDI Ownership Strategy: A Japanese-US MNE Comparison," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 491-524, November.
    11. Austin, Chelsea Rae & Bobek, Donna D. & Jackson, Scott, 2021. "Does prospect theory explain ethical decision making? Evidence from tax compliance," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    12. Mark E. Lokanan & Prerna Sharma, 2023. "Two Decades of Accounting Fraud Research: The Missing Meso-Level Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, September.
    13. Eric N. Johnson & Linda A. Kidwell & D. Jordan Lowe & Philip M. J. Reckers, 2019. "Who Follows the Unethical Leader? The Association Between Followers’ Personal Characteristics and Intentions to Comply in Committing Organizational Fraud," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 154(1), pages 181-193, January.
    14. Karol Sikora, 2007. "Development And Innovation In Cancer Medicine," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 11(02), pages 259-278.
    15. Diana Falsetta & Jennifer K. Schafer & George T. Tsakumis, 2024. "How Government Spending Impacts Tax Compliance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 190(2), pages 513-530, March.
    16. Pruijssers, Jorien Louise & Singer, Gallia & Singer, Zvi & Tsang, Desmond, 2023. "Social influence pressures and the risk preferences of aspiring financial market professionals," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    17. Madeline Domino & Stephen Wingreen & James Blanton, 2015. "Social Cognitive Theory: The Antecedents and Effects of Ethical Climate Fit on Organizational Attitudes of Corporate Accounting Professionals—A Reflection of Client Narcissism and Fraud Attitude Risk," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 131(2), pages 453-467, October.
    18. Alicia R. Ingersoll & Christy Glass & Alison Cook & Kari Joseph Olsen, 2019. "Power, Status and Expectations: How Narcissism Manifests Among Women CEOs," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(4), pages 893-907, September.
    19. Kausar Fiaz Khawaja & Muddassar Sarfraz & Mahmoona Khalil, 2023. "Doing good for organization but feeling bad: when and how narcissistic employees get prone to shame and guilt," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-16, December.
    20. Jonathan Farrar & Tisha King, 2023. "To Punish or Not to Punish? The Impact of Tax Fraud Punishment on Observers’ Tax Compliance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(1), pages 289-311, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:advacc:v:34:y:2016:i:c:p:1-16. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/advances-in-accounting/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.