Title: Modelling managers' and subordinates' ethical behaviour on performance

Authors: Halil Zaim; Lily Wisker; Atif Acikgoz

Addresses: Human Resource Management Department, American University of the Middle East, Egaila, Kuwait ' Pacific International Hotel Management School, Private Bag 2062, New Plymouth, 4342, New Zealand ' Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Canada

Abstract: The purpose of our study is to ascertain whether organisational team ethical standards (which eventually impact the organisational performance) are impacted by the managers' and subordinates' ethical behaviour separately. A field study was conducted based on data collected from managers and employees working in companies located in Istanbul. A structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was performed to test our hypotheses. The study results show a strong relationship between managers' and subordinates' ethical behaviours and firm performance. Our study also found the reversed effects where employees' ethical behaviour influences organisational team ethical standards. Finally the results show that organisational team ethical standards partially mediate the relationship between managers' individual's ethical behaviours and firm performance.

Keywords: business ethics; firm performance; manager's ethical behaviour; subordinates' ethical behaviour; organisational team ethical standards.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBGE.2021.113939

International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, 2021 Vol.15 No.2, pp.129 - 152

Accepted: 29 Dec 2019
Published online: 02 Apr 2021 *

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