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Ethical conflict at work: A critique of the literature and recommendations for future research

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Abstract

It is obvious that people experience ethical conflicts, and that many of these conflicts occur at work. We do not yet know empirically whether or how these experiences affect productivity. A person experiencing an ethical conflict will, at a minimum, be distracted. It seems likely that the incident will have a negative impact on his or her job performance.

The kinds or degree of impact ethical conflicts have on productivity have not yet been determined scientifically. The purpose of this paper is to encourage empirical investigation of the phenomena of the experience of ethical conflict at work and the impact these kinds of incidents have on job performance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Management Science, University of Lowell, 01854, Lowell, MA, USA

    Martin R. Moser

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  1. Martin R. Moser
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Additional information

Martin R. Moser, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Management at the University of Lowell, Lowell, in Massachusetts, U.S.A. Dr. Moser's current research and consulting activities are in the areas of business ethics and management of professional personnel.

Supported by a grant from the Center for Productivity Enhancement at the University of Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts

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Moser, M.R. Ethical conflict at work: A critique of the literature and recommendations for future research. J Bus Ethics 7, 381–387 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382541

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382541

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