THE INFLUENCE OF CORPORATE CULTURE ON MANAGERIAL ETHICAL JUDGMENTS

The contention that organizational culture influences ethical decision making is not disputable. However, the extent to which it influences ethical decision making in the workplace is a topic for scholarly deba te and investigation. There are scholars who argue that, though corpor ate values are a powerful force in explaining the behavior of individu als and groups within organizations, these values are unperceived, uns poken, and taken for granted. However, there are others who argue that the formalization of corporate values facilitates job and role clarit y and is the key to influencing employee behavior. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent of the influence of organizational cod es of ethics. The findings suggest that, depending upon the particular situation, corporate culture and ethics may mitigate individual perso nal moral convictions about right and wrong.