Mixed Motives: Economic, Social, and Normative Motivations in Business Compliance

35 Pages Posted: 7 Oct 2013 Last revised: 20 Feb 2014

See all articles by Vibeke Lehmann Nielsen

Vibeke Lehmann Nielsen

University of Aarhus - Department of Political Science

Christine Parker

Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne

Date Written: October 4, 2012

Abstract

This article develops theoretical understanding of the motives of business firms and their managers for compliance. First, we develop a typology to conceptualize and measure business motives relevant to compliance behavior. We distinguish between three categories of motives: economic, social, and normative. We hypothesize, however, that business firms and their managers do not divide into types motivated exclusively by singular priorities. We expect each firm to hold a constellation of plural motives. Moreover, we expect that economic and social motives are more alike between regulatees within the same regulatory regime than normative motives. Second, we conduct a preliminary test of the plausibility of our typology of motives and our theory of constellations of plural motives using data from a survey of the thousand biggest companies in Australia. Finally, we conclude that the path from fundamental interests or motives to behavior is filled with constraints and contingent factors at the individual, organizational, and structural levels.

Suggested Citation

Nielsen, Vibeke Lehmann and Parker, Christine, Mixed Motives: Economic, Social, and Normative Motivations in Business Compliance (October 4, 2012). Denver Journal of International Law and Policy, Vol. 34, No. 4, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2336771

Vibeke Lehmann Nielsen

University of Aarhus - Department of Political Science ( email )

Bartholins Allé è
DK-8000 Aarhus, 8000
Denmark

Christine Parker (Contact Author)

Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne ( email )

University Square
185 Pelham Street, Carlton
Victoria, Victoria 3010
Australia

HOME PAGE: http://law.unimelb.edu.au/about/staff/christine-parker

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