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Social Moral Licensing

Author

Listed:
  • Wassili Lasarov

    (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel)

  • Stefan Hoffmann

    (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel)

Abstract

Moral licensing theory posits that individuals who initially behave morally may later display behaviors that are immoral, unethical, or otherwise problematic. While previous literature mainly focused on individual moral licensing, the influences from the social environment have barely been investigated. To address this issue, the present paper develops a conceptual framework of social moral licensing and outlines two main avenues for future research via six propositions. The first avenue entitled “the conspicuousness of moral licensing” considers moral licensing that comes into play when people are observed by others. The second avenue entitled “the relativity of moral licensing” focusses on social comparisons between individuals, their ingroups and outgroups. Specific and testable social moral licensing effects are derived in both avenues. By doing so, this paper outlines promising directions for future studies in this new research stream.

Suggested Citation

  • Wassili Lasarov & Stefan Hoffmann, 2020. "Social Moral Licensing," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 45-66, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:165:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-018-4083-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-4083-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Alfred Z. Liu & Angela Xia Liu & Sangkil Moon & Donald Siegel, 2024. "Does Corporate Social Responsibility Always Result in More Ethical Decision-Making? Evidence from Product Recall Remediation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 191(3), pages 443-463, May.
    2. Xie, Yibo & Ma, Wenbin & Ma, Yichuan & Ren, Zhouqi & Tong, Zelin & Wang, Yihuan, 2023. "A counterfactual thinking perspective of moral licensing effect in machine-driven communication: An example of natural language processing chatbot developed based on WeChat API," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    3. McCarthy, Breda, 2024. "Moral licensing and habits: Do solar households make negligent choices?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    4. Douthit, Jeremy D. & Kachelmeier, Steven J. & Van Landuyt, Ben W., 2024. "Does auditor assurance of client prosocial activities affect subsequent reporter-auditor negotiations?," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    5. Hao Ji & Jin Yan, 2023. "Why does counterproductive work behavior lead to pro-social rule breaking? The roles of impression management motives and leader-liking," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(4), pages 1323-1339, December.
    6. Amelie Griesoph & Stefan Hoffmann & Christine Merk & Katrin Rehdanz & Ulrich Schmidt, 2021. "Guess What …?—How Guessed Norms Nudge Climate-Friendly Food Choices in Real-Life Settings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-18, August.
    7. Thomas G. Canace & Leigh Salzsieder & Tammie J. Schaefer, 2023. "Preventing Disclosure-Induced Moral Licensing: Evidence from the Boardroom," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 187(4), pages 841-857, November.

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