Do women have higher ethical standards than men? In general,
yes. That's according to two University of Alabama business
professors whose complex analysis of past research revealed some
interesting differences in the ways that men and women perceive
unethical behavior.
Dr. Deborah Crown, associate professor of management, and Dr.
George R. Franke, associate professor of marketing, found that on
average, men and women go into the work force after college with
different perceptions about ethics. Differences are most pronounced
among college students and gradually decrease with work experience
until, after being in the work force for about 21 years, the
differences practically disappear.
Other findings:
- Women were more likely to perceive rule-breaking as unethical.
However, men were no more likely to break rules than women.
- Men were more likely to recognize ethical problems involving
money than those involving nonmonetary issues.
- Ethical standards rise over time: "Junior workers may
cross an ethical line without even realizing it," says Franke.
"With work experience comes a better understanding of what is
appropriate and inappropriate behavior."
- There's more agreement than disagreement: Ethical
perceptions of men and women overlapped by 84 percent.
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