Title: Utilising computer-based scenarios to explore idealism and relativism influences on perceptions of Ethics and Social Responsibilities and ethical decision making

Authors: Lisa Y. Chen; Bahaudin G. Mujtaba; Thomas W. Heron

Addresses: Department of Information Management, I-Shou University, 1, Sec. 1, Xuecheng Rd., Dashu District, Kaohsiung City 840, Taiwan. ' H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship, Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL 33314-7796, USA. ' Sorrell College of Business, Troy University, 2743 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 201, Augusta, GA 30909, USA

Abstract: This study explores idealism and relativism differences of technical-/engineering-based students along with their perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the managerial and ethical decision-making level, utilising computer-related scenarios. Of the 949 responses, results indicate that perceptions of ESR are positively related to the idealism and the relativism of students in technical-/engineering-based fields. Ethical decision-making differs significantly, based on the idealism and the relativism perceptions of ESR. It appears that students in technical-/engineering-based fields would benefit from an ethics course in their curriculum. Implications and the potential for future studies are discussed.

Keywords: idealism; relativism; ethical decision making; ethical ideologies; perceptions; ethics courses; social responsibility; engineering education; technical education; ethics education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBGE.2011.044736

International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, 2011 Vol.6 No.4, pp.359 - 384

Published online: 06 Jan 2012 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article