When culture and ethics meet: Understanding the dynamics between cultural dimensions, moral orientations, moral inequity, and commitment in the context of corporate misconduct allegations

Abstract

This study explored the associations between individuals' cultural orientations, moral orientations, perceived moral inequity, and commitment to an organization accused of misconduct. An online survey was conducted among Singapore citizens (N = 477), exposing the participants to a fictitious vignette that included allegations of child labor abuse practices by their preferred company to understand their reactions to these allegations. Data analyses that individuals who report power distance also believe in consequentialism. There was a negative association between power distance and deontological thinking about how businesses should behave. People with high level of collectivism showed both consequentialist and deontological orientation. Whereas deontologists perceived the alleged misconduct as unethical, individuals with consequentialism did not. Consequentialists were willing to commit to their relationship with the organization despite the allegation. Finally, perceived moral inequity was negatively associated with commitment and fully mediated the relationship between deontology and commitment. Theoretical and empirical implications are discussed (150 words).