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Effects of organizational ethical culture on the ethical decisions of tax practitioners in mainland China

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  • William E. Shafer
  • Richard S. Simmons

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of organizational ethical culture on the ethical decisions of tax practitioners in mainland China. Design/methodology/approach - The study is based on a field survey of practicing public accountants. Findings - As hypothesized, certain dimensions of ethical culture had highly significant effects on intentions to engage in aggressive tax minimization strategies. Cultures characterized by strong ethical norms and incentives for ethical behavior significantly reduced the reported likelihood of engaging in unethical behavior in a high moral intensity case. In a low moral intensity case, intentions to engage in questionable behavior were significantly higher when participants felt that top managers in their firm were unethical and rewarded unethical behavior. Relativism judgments (judgments of what is traditionally or culturally acceptable or acceptable to one's family) emerged as the strongest determinant of behavioral intentions across both cases. Participants also appeared highly sensitive to questions regarding what is traditionally or culturally acceptable in Chinese tax practice. Originality/value - This is the first study of ethical decision making among tax practitioners in mainland China, and the findings add to a growing body of literature documenting the significant effects of organizational ethical context on public accountants' decision making processes. This has important implications for CPA firms, suggesting that proactive steps should be taken to promote supportive ethical contexts. The findings for the effects of relativism judgments raise concerns regarding the ethical decisions of Chinese tax practitioners, implying they are likely to engage in unethical behavior if they feel such behavior is common in their cultural environment.

Suggested Citation

  • William E. Shafer & Richard S. Simmons, 2011. "Effects of organizational ethical culture on the ethical decisions of tax practitioners in mainland China," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 24(5), pages 647-668, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:aaajpp:v:24:y:2011:i:5:p:647-668
    DOI: 10.1108/09513571111139139
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Jana Craft, 2013. "A Review of the Empirical Ethical Decision-Making Literature: 2004–2011," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 117(2), pages 221-259, October.
    3. Weihui Fu, 2014. "The Impact of Emotional Intelligence, Organizational Commitment, and Job Satisfaction on Ethical Behavior of Chinese Employees," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 122(1), pages 137-144, June.
    4. Valentine, Sean & Godkin, Lynn, 2019. "Moral intensity, ethical decision making, and whistleblowing intention," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 277-288.
    5. Radcliffe, Vaughan S. & Spence, Crawford & Stein, Mitchell & Wilkinson, Brett, 2018. "Professional repositioning during times of institutional change: The case of tax practitioners and changing moral boundaries," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 45-59.
    6. Luca Casali, Gian & Perano, Mirko, 2021. "Forty years of research on factors influencing ethical decision making: Establishing a future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 614-630.
    7. Yeoh Khar Kheng & Sethela June, 2016. "The Ethical Decision Ma king Intention of Small & Medium Entrepreneurs in Malaysia," Quarterly Journal of Business Studies, Research Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 2(4), pages 181-192.
    8. Ylönen, Matti & Laine, Matias, 2015. "For logistical reasons only? A case study of tax planning and corporate social responsibility reporting," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 5-23.
    9. Jana L. Craft, 2018. "Common Thread: The Impact of Mission on Ethical Business Culture. A Case Study," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 149(1), pages 127-145, April.
    10. Raymond O. S. Zaal & Ronald J. M. Jeurissen & Edward A. G. Groenland, 2019. "Organizational Architecture, Ethical Culture, and Perceived Unethical Behavior Towards Customers: Evidence from Wholesale Banking," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(3), pages 825-848, September.

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