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Ethical climates in South Asian Organizations: empirical findings from India

Author

Listed:
  • Arindam Das

    (S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research)

  • Dimple Grover

    (Tata Institute of Social Sciences)

Abstract

This exploratory paper identifies ethical work climates in organizations in India using the ethical climate typology developed by Victor and Cullen. India offers interesting opportunities to study ethical decision making in organizations, considering its recent economic growth, rich spiritual heritage, and relatively weak implementation of regulatory provisions. Using the original ethical climate questionnaire, we conduct a survey on Indian workforce to identify key ethical climates the participants relate to. Exploratory factor analysis results in six climate types: (a) Law and Codes of Professional Conduct, (b) Organizational Processes, (c) Integrity and Fairness, (d) Collective Prosperity, (e) Personal Value System, and (f) Pursuit of Excellence. Consequently we assess how organizational and individual characteristics influence the participants’ association with the identified climate types. Multivariate analysis of variance shows that men in Indian workforce are more likely to relate to law, professional codes of conduct and organizational processes, whereas women are more likely to relate to personal value system. We discuss the implications and antecedents of these findings from socio-cultural perspectives, specifically India’s ancient values.

Suggested Citation

  • Arindam Das & Dimple Grover, 2022. "Ethical climates in South Asian Organizations: empirical findings from India," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 2(6), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:snbeco:v:2:y:2022:i:6:d:10.1007_s43546-022-00226-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s43546-022-00226-1
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ethical climate type; Ethical decision-making; Ancient Indian values;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L20 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - General
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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