Abstract
This article describes a comparative survey of the attitudes of top and purchasing managers regarding the extent to which their attitudes towards corrupt and possibly corrupt business behaviour differs. The extent of perceived peer group participation in deviant activities is also measured. The results of the research indicate that while there is little or no difference between the groups regarding attitude and perceived participation measures, there is a marked difference between the attitudes for both groups and the perceived participation of their peers. The need for top management action on policy in this regard is emphasized.
Highlights
This article describes a comparative survey of the attitudes of top and purchasing managers regarding the extent to which their attitudes towards corrupt and possibly corrupt business behaviour differs
The media reports with distressing regularity of contraventions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, No 6 of 1958
Purchasing managers may have a lot of power which they are expected to exercise to keep costs down
Summary
The measurement of attitudes towards deviant behaviour is compounded by a host of factors. In many instances the researcher finds it difficult and even impossible to measure attitudes and participation for one can scarcely hope to obtain honest answers from one who may by definition be dishonest (Pitt, 1982: 186). A number of researchers have employed the technique of perceived participation (Wilkes, 1978), known as the Third-person Technique (Green & Tull, 1978: 139-141; Lane & Watson, 1975: 48-59). This problem, respondents are asked to what extent members of their peer group participate in the activities in question. The researcher is able to gain an indication of overall group participation (including that of the respondents)
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