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An Introduction of Epistemology to Business Ethics: A Study of Marketing Middle-Managers

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  • Mohammed Rawwas
  • Surendra Arjoon
  • Yusuf Sidani

Abstract

A vast majority of marketing theory and research has focused on relativism and idealism in order to understand ethical behavior. However, making ethical assessments that in turn influence behavior is much more complicated than it appears. One of the most important developments in contemporary philosophy has been the renewed interest in epistemic virtue. Epistemologists contend that belief is an ethical process that is susceptible to the intellectual virtue or vice of one’s own life and personal experiences. Open-mindedness, curiosity, careful thinking, creativity, and intellectual courage are the foundations of epistemic virtues. Closed-mindedness, intellectual overconfidence, unimaginativeness, intellectual conformity, and wishful thinking are among epistemic vices. The purpose of this investigation is to introduce epistemology to marketing ethics by linking it to personal moral philosophies (idealism and relativism) and optimism to explain various ethically challenging organizational behaviors. The items of epistemology were developed and pretested by the lead author of this study. Structural equations (LISREL) analyses found that epistemic virtues and vices are better predictors of ethical behavior than were personal moral philosophies (idealism and relativism), and their influence on mild and severe levels of unethical behaviors was enhanced by the moderator variable, optimism. Implications are designed to develop suggestions for improving ethical behavior in the workplace. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammed Rawwas & Surendra Arjoon & Yusuf Sidani, 2013. "An Introduction of Epistemology to Business Ethics: A Study of Marketing Middle-Managers," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 117(3), pages 525-539, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:117:y:2013:i:3:p:525-539
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-012-1537-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Fuan Li & Mike Chen-ho Chao & Nancy Yi-feng Chen & Sixue Zhang, 2018. "Moral judgment in a business setting: The role of managers’ moral foundation, ideology, and level of moral development," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 121-143, March.
    3. Gazley, Aaron & Sinha, Ashish & Rod, Michel, 2016. "Toward a theory of marketing law transgressions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(2), pages 476-483.
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    5. Marco Meyer & Chun Wei Choo, 2024. "Harming by Deceit: Epistemic Malevolence and Organizational Wrongdoing," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 189(3), pages 439-452, January.
    6. Rajshekhar G. Javalgi & La Toya M. Russell, 2018. "International Marketing Ethics: A Literature Review and Research Agenda," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(4), pages 703-720, April.
    7. Erwan Lamy, 2023. "Epistemic Responsibility in Business: An Integrative Framework for an Epistemic Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(1), pages 1-14, February.
    8. Lisa Warenski, 2024. "Organizational Good Epistemic Practices," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 194(3), pages 485-500, October.
    9. Christopher Baird & Thomas S. Calvard, 2019. "Epistemic Vices in Organizations: Knowledge, Truth, and Unethical Conduct," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 160(1), pages 263-276, November.
    10. Muhammad Qasim & Muhammad Irshad & Mehwish Majeed & Syed Tahir Hussain Rizvi, 2022. "Examining Impact of Islamic Work Ethic on Task Performance: Mediating Effect of Psychological Capital and a Moderating Role of Ethical Leadership," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(1), pages 283-295, September.
    11. Mark Christensen & Geoffrey Lamberton, 2022. "Accounting for Animal Welfare: Addressing Epistemic Vices During Live Sheep Export Voyages," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(1), pages 35-56, September.
    12. Gareth R. T. White & Anthony Samuel & Robert J. Thomas, 2023. "Exploring and Expanding Supererogatory Acts: Beyond Duty for a Sustainable Future," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 185(3), pages 665-688, July.
    13. Henrike Andersch & Jörg Lindenmeier & Florian Liberatore & Dieter K. Tscheulin, 2018. "Resistance against corporate misconduct: an analysis of ethical ideologies’ direct and moderating effects on different forms of active rebellion," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 88(6), pages 695-730, August.

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