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研究生: Elizabeth Henry
Elizabeth Henry
論文名稱: A Study of Factors Affecting Attitudes towards Business Ethics in Saint Lucia
A Study of Factors Affecting Attitudes towards Business Ethics in Saint Lucia
指導教授: 張媁雯
Chang, Wei-Wen
學位類別: 碩士
Master
系所名稱: 國際人力資源發展研究所
Graduate Institute of International Human Resource Developmemt
論文出版年: 2013
畢業學年度: 101
語文別: 英文
論文頁數: 105
中文關鍵詞: Ethicsbusiness ethicsattitude towards business ethics
英文關鍵詞: Ethics, business ethics, attitude towards business ethics
論文種類: 學術論文
相關次數: 點閱:179下載:6
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  • Business is essential for the development and wellbeing of society. However, the frequency with which corporate scandals occur serves as a driving force behind an ongoing debate about the conduct of businesses. This study therefore analyzed the effects of gender, age, household income, status and religiosity on attitudes toward business ethics and also, the effect of these factors on the business philosophies as contained in the attitudes towards business ethics questionnaire (ATBEQ). A quantitative approach research method was in the form of a questionnaire.

    The sample groups for this study were business students and employees in the private sector. The data was analyzed separately for both sample groups. The results showed that for students, gender had a significant impact on ethical attitudes, and for employees, household income and interpersonal religiosity. The results also showed that males were less ethical than females, and employees were more ethical than students. Social Darwinism was the most popular business philosophy as it was subscribed to by both sample groups and all factors except age had a significant impact on at least one business philosophy. Age was the only factor with no significant impact on attitudes towards business ethics or on the business philosophies.

    This study provides information on the ethical attitudes that currently exist in the business environment and also will provide insight into future business ethical attitudes. The results also provide useful information for policy makers, managers and academia and may shed some light for both Corporate Human Resource Strategy and the formal education system. It will also add to the existing literature on business ethics and more specifically to literature on ethics in the Caribbean region.

    Business is essential for the development and wellbeing of society. However, the frequency with which corporate scandals occur serves as a driving force behind an ongoing debate about the conduct of businesses. This study therefore analyzed the effects of gender, age, household income, status and religiosity on attitudes toward business ethics and also, the effect of these factors on the business philosophies as contained in the attitudes towards business ethics questionnaire (ATBEQ). A quantitative approach research method was in the form of a questionnaire.

    The sample groups for this study were business students and employees in the private sector. The data was analyzed separately for both sample groups. The results showed that for students, gender had a significant impact on ethical attitudes, and for employees, household income and interpersonal religiosity. The results also showed that males were less ethical than females, and employees were more ethical than students. Social Darwinism was the most popular business philosophy as it was subscribed to by both sample groups and all factors except age had a significant impact on at least one business philosophy. Age was the only factor with no significant impact on attitudes towards business ethics or on the business philosophies.

    This study provides information on the ethical attitudes that currently exist in the business environment and also will provide insight into future business ethical attitudes. The results also provide useful information for policy makers, managers and academia and may shed some light for both Corporate Human Resource Strategy and the formal education system. It will also add to the existing literature on business ethics and more specifically to literature on ethics in the Caribbean region.

    Abstract I Table of Contents II List of Tables IV List of Figures V CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1 Background of the study 1 The Problem Statement 3 Significance of the Study 4 Purpose of the Study 7 Questions of the study 7 Definition of Terms 8 CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW 9 Ethical Philosophies 9 Business Philosophies 11 Business Ethics 13 Demographic Variables and Business Ethics 17 Income and Business Ethics 23 Status and Business Ethics 24 Religiosity and Business Ethics 30 Studies of Ethical Attitudes among Business Students 34 Business Ethics in the Caribbean 38 Overview of St Lucia 39 Summary of the Literature review 40 CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODS 42 Research Framework 42 Research Hypotheses 43 Research Approach 46 Research Procedure 47 Research Sample 49 Research Instrument 51 Data Collection 53 Data Analysis 54 CHAPTER IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 56 Descriptive Statistics 56 Correlation Analysis 61 Multiple Regression Analysis for Business Ethics 62 Multiple Regression Analysis according to Business Philosophies 63 Hypothesis Analysis 67 Discussion 79 CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS 85 Conclusion 85 Implications 87 Suggestions for Further Study 89 Research Limitations 90 REFERENCES 91 APPENDIX A: Questionnaire 100 APPENDIX B: Permission Letter 103

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