Last modified: 2018-11-26
Abstract
Rhetoric on business ethics indicates that some of the best ways to break the cycle of unethical behavior include espousing business values with ethics as a focal point, establishing a code of conduct, recruiting employees who share those values, training employees about ethical norms, and implementing strict policies with heavy punishment for unethical behaviors alongside attractive rewards for being ethical (Goldfield, 2015; Dubois, 2012; Bazerman & Tenbrunsel, 2011). Part of the solution may reside in dealing with ethics and honesty more during college and high school to address unethical and dishonest behavior during these formative stages. Developing a comprehensive approach to ethics and academic honesty at a given institution requires a study of the issues that exist there. This paper describes the study and results of student perceptions of academic (dis)honest behavior in the business and accounting programs at a small public university as a first step in taking a more proactive approach to developing managers, employees, and people who are better equipped for ethical decision making.