Fairness, Feelings, and Ethical Decision Making: Consequences of Violating Community Standards of Fairness
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2008
Abstract
In this article, we describe the influence of violations of community standards of fairness (Kahneman, Knetsch, and Thaler, 1986a) on subsequent ethical decision-making and emotions. Across two studies, we manipulated explanations for a common action, and we find that explanations that violate community standards of fairness (e.g., by taking advantage of an increase in market power) lead to greater intentions to behave unethically than explanations that are consistent with community standards of fairness (e.g., by passing along a price increase). We find that perceptions of justifiability mediate this relationship. We also find that individuals derive significant psychological benefits (greater satisfaction, greater happiness, and reduced anger) from engaging in unethical behavior following perceived violations of fairness.
Publication Title
Journal of Business Ethics
Repository Citation
Schweitzer, Maurice and Gibson, Donald E., "Fairness, Feelings, and Ethical Decision Making: Consequences of Violating Community Standards of Fairness" (2008). Business Faculty Publications. 22.
https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/business-facultypubs/22
Published Citation
Schweitzer, Maurice; Gibson, Donald E.. 'Fairness, Feelings, and Ethical Decision Making: Consequences of Violating Community Standards of Fairness.' Journal of Business Ethics 77.3 (2008): 287-301.
DOI
10.1007/s10551-007-9350-3
Peer Reviewed
Comments
Copyright 2008 Springer, Journal of Business Ethics