The Effects of Exposing CPAs to Rationalizations Conscious and Unconscious Outcomes

This article reports on an experimental examination of rationalization and socialization phenomenon among CPAs. Rationalizations represent the cognitive justifications that individuals use to morally disengage their internal norms. Neutralizations are rationalizations made before and influencing the decision. Socialization within an organization represents the tactics used by a corrupting influence, such as a superior providing neutralizations to persuade subordinates to be complicit in corruption. Neutralization and Socialization are fundamental first steps facilitating normalization of organizational corruption. We find that exposure to neutralizations increases unethical intentions despite cautions against falling prey to them. This result is robust to two different morally intense and practically relevant ethical cases: signing off on non-completed tasks and facilitating premature revenue recognition. We also advance evidence that for many participants the influence of provided rationalizations is unconscious. The effects of exposure to neutralizations were robust among Millennials and Gen Xers, but not among Baby Boomers.