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Situational Moral Disengagement: Can the Effects of Self-Interest be Mitigated?

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  • Jennifer Kish-Gephart
  • James Detert
  • Linda Treviño
  • Vicki Baker
  • Sean Martin

Abstract

Self-interest has long been recognized as a powerful human motive. Yet, much remains to be understood about the thinking behind self-interested pursuits. Drawing from multiple literatures, we propose that situations high in opportunity for self-interested gain trigger a type of moral cognition called moral disengagement that allows the individual to more easily disengage internalized moral standards. We also theorize two countervailing forces—situational harm to others and dispositional conscientiousness—that may weaken the effects of personal gain on morally disengaged reasoning. We test our hypotheses in two studies using qualitative and quantitative data and complementary research methods and design. We demonstrate that when personal gain incentives are relatively moderate, reminders of harm to others can reduce the likelihood that employees will morally disengage. Furthermore, when strong personal gain incentives are present in a situation, highly conscientious individuals are less apt than their counterparts to engage in morally disengaged reasoning. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Kish-Gephart & James Detert & Linda Treviño & Vicki Baker & Sean Martin, 2014. "Situational Moral Disengagement: Can the Effects of Self-Interest be Mitigated?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 125(2), pages 267-285, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:125:y:2014:i:2:p:267-285
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-1909-6
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    1. Thomas M. Jones & Lori Verstegen Ryan, 1997. "The Link Between Ethical Judgment and Action in Organizations: A Moral Approbation Approach," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 8(6), pages 663-680, December.
    2. Celia Moore, 2008. "Moral Disengagement in Processes of Organizational Corruption," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 80(1), pages 129-139, June.
    3. Marvin Claybourn, 2011. "Relationships Between Moral Disengagement, Work Characteristics and Workplace Harassment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 100(2), pages 283-301, May.
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