Changing Ethical Behavior in Times of Economic Crisis in Organizations

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to change organizational ethical behavior in times of economic crisis by finding measures to prevent unethical behavior at organizational level. Objectives: Objectives of this research are: 1. to identify the most important causes that lead to unethical behaviors in organizations in times of economic crisis; 2. changing organizational behavior in times of economic crisis by proposing measures for prevent unethical behavior in organizations. Approach: Starting point of approach was reviewing literature for defining concepts and finding the current state of knowledge in the field. Quantitative research contained in this paper is a survey-based sociological questionnaire. Two questionnaires were used, one to identify the causes that lead to unethical behaviour during the economic crisis in organizations, and the second to identify the measures for prevent unethical behaviour during the economic crisis in organizations. Results: The research was conducted in Romanian organization; 265 people have answered questionnaires. The research results show that the most important causes in the opinion of respondents that lead to unethical behavior during the economic crisis. Were also identified the most important measures to prevent unethical behavior in times of economic crisis, measures in correlation with causes that lead to unethical behaviors. Implications: The results of this research will help to change organizational behavior in times of economic crisis by proposing measures to prevent unethical behaviors; a better management of crisis situations in organizations using ethical behavior. Originality Value: Propose measures for ethical behavior change in times of economic crisis in organizations;