Abstract:

This study examines the ethical decision-making process of business students when faced with ethically sensitive situations.   Participants were presented with eight ethically-sensitive scenarios and asked what course of action they would take.  Data were collected from 288 business students enrolled in a managerial accounting course at an AACSB accredited institution. A survey instrument was administered, similar to one used in a study by Radtke (2000). The results indicate statistically-significant differences across several variables including gender, class level, major and GPA. These findings have implications for the design of effective ethics education in business schools.