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Transparent Practices: Primary and Secondary Data in Business Ethics Dissertations

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Abstract

We explore the availability and use of data (primary and secondary) in the field of business ethics research. Specifically, we examine an international sample of doctoral dissertations since 1998, categorizing research topics, data collection, and availability of data. Findings suggest that use of only primary data pervades the discipline, despite strong methodological reasons to augment business ethics research with secondary data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. East Lansing, MI, 48824-1048, U.S.A.

    Shawn W. Nicholson

  2. College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, 08628, U.S.A.

    Terrence B. Bennett

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  1. Shawn W. Nicholson
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  2. Terrence B. Bennett
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Correspondence to Shawn W. Nicholson.

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Nicholson, S.W., Bennett, T.B. Transparent Practices: Primary and Secondary Data in Business Ethics Dissertations. J Bus Ethics 84, 417–425 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9717-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9717-0

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