To Cheat or Not to Cheat?: The Role of Personality in Academic and Business Ethics

Abstract

Past research (Lawson, 2004; Nonis & Swift, 2001) has revealed a correlation between academic and business ethics. Using a sample survey, this study extends this inquiry by examining the role of dispositional variables (neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness) and academic honesty on business ethics perceptions. Results indicate that (1) neuroticism and conscientiousness were positively related to more ethical perceptions in a work context, and (2) academic honesty partially mediated the relationship between conscientiousness and business ethics. Implications to business practitioners and educators are discussed as well as directions for future research.

Keywords:

• academic dishonesty
• academic ethics
• plagiarism ethics
• business ethics
• workplace ethics
• professional ethics
• academic etiquette
• student ethics
• big five personality neuroticism
• extraversion
• conscientiousness

Notes

¹Reproduced by special permission of the Publisher, Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc., 16204 North Florida Avenue, Lutz, Florida 33549, from the NEO Five-Factor Inventory by Paul Costa and Robert McCrae, Copyright 1978, 1985, 1989, 1991, 2003 by PAR, Inc. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission of PAR, Inc.