Using Behavioral Ethics to Reduce Organizational Misconduct

Forthcoming, Behavioral Science and Policy Special Volume on Corruption

16 Pages Posted: 11 Feb 2017 Last revised: 23 Jun 2018

See all articles by Yuval Feldman

Yuval Feldman

Bar-Ilan University - Faculty of Law

Date Written: December 5, 2017

Abstract

Even “good people”—those who think of themselves as being ethical— may engage in corrupt actions. In fact, the situations that seem least problematic can sometimes cause good people to behave immorally. Behavioral ethics research has demonstrated that various unconscious and self-deceptive mental processes promote such behavior in those individuals. To reduce the frequency of misbehavior by normally wellintentioned individuals, policymakers need to be aware that classic approaches to limiting corruption sometimes increase the likelihood that good people will engage in misconduct. Regulators also need to expand their toolbox beyond formal ethical codes and financial incentives by adding preventive interventions that are based on behavioral ethics research.

Keywords: behavioral ethics, nudges, corruption, conflict of interests, enforcement, behavioral economics, law and psychology, Organizational Misconducts

JEL Classification: K42; L50; M38; K23

Suggested Citation

Feldman, Yuval, Using Behavioral Ethics to Reduce Organizational Misconduct (December 5, 2017). Forthcoming, Behavioral Science and Policy Special Volume on Corruption, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2913425

Yuval Feldman (Contact Author)

Bar-Ilan University - Faculty of Law ( email )

Faculty of Law
Ramat Gan, 52900
Israel

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
258
Abstract Views
1,393
Rank
215,627
PlumX Metrics