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Moral Development in Business Ethics: An Examination and Critique

Author

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  • Kristen Bell DeTienne

    (Brigham Young University)

  • Carol Frogley Ellertson

    (Brigham Young University)

  • Marc-Charles Ingerson

    (Brigham Young University)

  • William R. Dudley

    (Brigham Young University)

Abstract

The field of behavioral ethics has seen considerable growth over the last few decades. One of the most significant concerns facing this interdisciplinary field of research is the moral judgment-action gap. The moral judgment-action gap is the inconsistency people display when they know what is right but do what they know is wrong. Much of the research in the field of behavioral ethics is based on (or in response to) early work in moral psychology and American psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg’s foundational cognitive model of moral development. However, Kohlberg’s model of moral development lacks a compelling explanation for the judgment-action gap. Yet, it continues to influence theory, research, teaching, and practice in business ethics today. As such, this paper presents a critical review and analysis of the pertinent literature. This paper also reviews modern theories of ethical decision making in business ethics. Gaps in our current understanding and directions for future research in behavioral business ethics are presented. By providing this important theoretical background information, targeted critical analysis, and directions for future research, this paper assists management scholars as they begin to seek a more unified approach, develop newer models of ethical decision making, and conduct business ethics research that examines the moral judgment-action gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristen Bell DeTienne & Carol Frogley Ellertson & Marc-Charles Ingerson & William R. Dudley, 2021. "Moral Development in Business Ethics: An Examination and Critique," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 170(3), pages 429-448, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:170:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-019-04351-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-019-04351-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Katerina Paschalidou & Efi Tsitskari & Kostas Alexandris & Thomas Karagiorgos & Dionisios Filippou, 2023. "Segmenting Fitness Center Customers: Leveraging Perceived Ethicality for Enhanced Loyalty, Trust, and Word-of-Mouth Communication," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-19, November.
    3. Doyle, Elaine & Frecknall-Hughes, Jane & Summers, Barbara, 2022. "Ethical reasoning in tax practice: Law or is there more?," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
    4. Bilić Irena & Primorac Dinko & Trkulja Željka Marčinko, 2023. "Virtue Ethics, Managerial Profession and Personality Traits: The Extension of Mintzberg’s Managerial Traits," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 14(2), pages 145-157, December.
    5. Cedric E. Dawkins, 2024. "Shared Inequity: An Alternative Frame for Racial Justice in Employment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 193(4), pages 825-838, September.
    6. Baniyelme D. Zoogah & Phyllis Swanzy-Krah, 2024. "Ethnic Obligation and Deviant Behavior: A Dynamic Moral Economy Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 195(2), pages 375-405, November.
    7. Stuart Allen & Louis W. Fry, 2023. "A Framework for Leader, Spiritual, and Moral Development," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 184(3), pages 649-663, May.
    8. Alina Beattrice VLADU & Dan Dacian CUZDRIOREAN, 2022. "Considerations on the Improvement of Ethical Decision Making in the Accounting Profession," CECCAR Business Review, Body of Expert and Licensed Accountants of Romania (CECCAR), vol. 3(1), pages 44-52, January.

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