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The Effectiveness of Business Codes: A Critical Examination of Existing Studies and the Development of an Integrated Research Model

Author

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  • Kaptein, S.P.
  • Schwartz, M.S.

Abstract

Business codes are a widely used management instrument. Research into the effectiveness of business codes has, however, produced conflicting results. The main reasons for the divergent findings are: varying definitions of key terms; deficiencies in the empirical data and methodologies used; and a lack of theory. In this paper, we propose an integrated research model and suggest directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaptein, S.P. & Schwartz, M.S., 2007. "The Effectiveness of Business Codes: A Critical Examination of Existing Studies and the Development of an Integrated Research Model," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2007-030-ORG, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    • Handle: RePEc:ems:eureri:10150
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sikkink, Kathryn, 1986. "Codes of conduct for transnational corporations: the case of the WHO/UNICEF code," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 40(4), pages 815-840, October.
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    4. Janet Adams & Armen Tashchian & Ted Shore, 2001. "Codes of Ethics as Signals for Ethical Behavior," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 29(3), pages 199-211, February.
    5. Beneish, Messod D. & Chatov, Robert, 1993. "Corporate codes of conduct: Economic determinants and legal implications for independent auditors," Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 3-35.
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    7. McCabe, Donald L. & Trevino, Linda Klebe & Butterfield, Kenneth D., 1996. "The Influence of Collegiate and Corporate Codes of Conduct on Ethics-Related Behavior in the Workplace," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(4), pages 461-476, October.
    8. Mark S. Schwartz, 2002. "A Code of Ethics for Corporate Code of Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 27-43, November.
    9. Sen, Amartya, 1997. "Economics, Business Principles and Moral Sentiments," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 7(3), pages 5-15, July.
    10. Catherine C Langlois & Bodo B Shlegemilch, 1990. "Do Corporate Codes of Ethics Reflect National Character? Evidence from Europe and the United States," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 21(4), pages 519-539, December.
    11. Hyman, Michael R. & Skipper, Robert & Tansey, Richard, 1990. "Ethical codes are not enough," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 15-22.
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    Cited by:

    1. Harrison McCraw & Kathy Moffeit & John O’Malley, 2009. "An Analysis of the Ethical Codes of Corporations and Business Schools," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 87(1), pages 1-13, June.
    2. DeConinck, James B., 2010. "The influence of ethical climate on marketing employees' job attitudes and behaviors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 63(4), pages 384-391, April.
    3. Geert Demuijnck, 2009. "Non-Discrimination in Human Resources Management as a Moral Obligation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 88(1), pages 83-101, August.
    4. Gibson Brandon, Rajna & Wagner, Alexander F. & Tanner, Carmen, 2014. "How effective are social norm interventions? Evidence from a laboratory experiment on managerial honesty," CEPR Discussion Papers 9880, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. Sanae Ben Yaich, 2018. "Gouvernance éthique et création de la valeur sociétale : Cas d'intégration des femmes Africaines dans le top management," Post-Print hal-03502597, HAL.
    6. Sarah Vandenbroucke & Jaroslaw Kantorowicz & Yvonne Erkens, 2024. "Decoding supplier codes of conduct with content and text as data approaches," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 472-492, January.
    7. Florian Scheiber, 2015. "Dressing up for Diffusion: Codes of Conduct in the German Textile and Apparel Industry, 1997–2010," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 126(4), pages 559-580, February.
    8. Ewa Lombard & Rajna N. GibsonBrandon, 2024. "Do Wealth Managers Understand Codes of Conduct and Their Ethical Dilemmas? Lessons from an Online Survey," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 189(3), pages 553-572, January.
    9. Mijntje Lückerath-Rovers & Auke De Bos, 2011. "Code of Conduct for Non-Executive and Supervisory Directors," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 100(3), pages 465-481, May.
    10. Cynthia L. Krom, 2019. "Disciplinary Actions by State Professional Licensing Boards: Are They Fair?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(2), pages 567-583, August.
    11. Laurence Romani & Betina Szkudlarek, 2014. "The Struggles of the Interculturalists: Professional Ethical Identity and Early Stages of Codes of Ethics Development," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 119(2), pages 173-191, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Business codes; Effectiveness; Ethics; Organization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • M - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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