Individual and contextual factors in ethical decision making: A case study of the most significant doping scandal in Canadian university sports history

Highlights

•	The use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) is an ethical concern in university sport.
•	Provides important insights into ethical decision making processes and structures.
•	Challenges readers to think critically about creating ethical team cultures.
•	PEDs strategies must consider cognitive antecedents and organizational factors.
•	Findings are interpreted in the context of relevant theory concerning PEDs use.

Abstract

This case study is written for instructors of sport management courses focused on ethics and integrity-related issues in team environments. The case highlights the real world example of the University of Waterloo Warriors varsity football that, in 2010, experienced the most significant doping scandal in Canadian university sports history, with a total of nine anti-doping rule violations asserted through the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. This case study also incorporates the findings of an independent review of the Waterloo football program in relation to the use of banned substances, and includes first-hand accounts from Bob Copeland who was the acting director of athletics. These findings are then interpreted in the context of relevant theory related to performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) use. Along with the findings of this review, which included interviews with athletes, coaches, and administrators, the case study provides important insights into ethical decision making processes and leadership structures in a team sport environment. Particular emphasis is placed on the role that individual cognitive antecedents and contextual organizational factors (i.e., policies, leadership, ethical climate, and infrastructure) play in ethical decision-making processes.

Keywords:

• Behavioral ethics
• Organizational behavior
• Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs)
• Contextual influences
• Moral awareness
• Moral disengagement
• Moral judgment