scholarly journals The moral disengagement mechanisms in organizational contexts: A comparison between public organizations and private firms

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-42
Author(s):  
Maurizio Zorzetto
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Process ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Public Organizations ◽  
Organizational Goals ◽  
Organizational Contexts ◽  
Public Sector Employees ◽  
Private And Public

The moral disengagement present in work places is a critical factor impacting the efficient pursuit of organizational goals. This research aims at providing a new view on the criticisms moved against the inefficiencies of the Italian public administration and the national bureaucratic system, by adopting the principles described in Albert Bandura’s (1986) Social Cognitive theory and testing the mechanisms of moral disengagement empirically, by carrying out the Civic Moral Disengagement (CMD) survey among private and public-sector employees. The final goal of this research is analyzing the cognitive process that employees activate based on the environment they are in, and defining an Empowerment strategy that could be adopted within public organizations.

School Climate and Adolescents’ Cyberbullying Perpetration: A Moderated Mediation Model of Moral Disengagement and Friends’ Moral Identity

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051986008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingchao Wang ◽  
Fengqing Zhao ◽  
Jiping Yang ◽  
Li Lei
Keyword(s):  
School Climate ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Moral Identity ◽  
Moderated Mediation Model ◽  
The Social ◽  
Climate Scale ◽  
Indirect Relationship

Based on an integration of the positive youth development model and the social cognitive theory, friends’ moral identity was examined as a moderator of the direct and indirect relations between school climate and adolescent’s cyberbullying perpetration via moral disengagement. Participants were 404 Chinese adolescents ( Mage = 13.53 years, SD = 0.92). They completed the Perceived School Climate Scale and the Moral Identity Scale and nominated up to three friends whom they considered to be their “best friend” in their classroom at Time 1. After 6 months, they completed the Moral Disengagement Scale and the Cyberbullying Scale at Time 2. Results showed that adolescents who experienced positive school climate were less likely to cyberbully others, which was mediated by their moral disengagement. Friends’ moral identity moderated the direct and indirect relations between school climate and cyberbullying perpetration. Specifically, the indirect relationship between school climate and cyberbullying perpetration through moral disengagement became nonsignificant for adolescents interacting with high moral identity friends. The direct association between school climate and cyberbullying perpetration was moderated by friends’ moral identity.

Stripped of Agency: The Paradoxical Effect of Employee Monitoring on Deviance

2021 ◽  
pp. 014920632110532
Author(s):  
Chase E. Thiel ◽  
Julena Bonner ◽  
John T. Bush ◽  
David T. Welsh ◽  
Niharika Garud
Keyword(s):  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Employee Perceptions ◽  
Sense Of Agency ◽  
Overall Justice ◽  
Critical Tension ◽  
Employee Monitoring ◽  
Rule Out

Organizations have long sought to mitigate risks associated with unsupervised employee conduct (e.g., employee deviance) through employee monitoring, an approach consistent with traditional theorizing. Yet the effectiveness of employee monitoring as a deviance deterrent has been called into question by emerging evidence suggesting that monitored employees may actually engage in higher levels of deviance. To address this critical tension and shed light on why and when monitoring leads to deviance, we draw upon social cognitive theory to examine the self-regulatory consequences of employee monitoring. We theorize that monitoring paradoxically creates conditions for more (not less) deviance by diminishing employees’ sense of agency, thereby facilitating moral disengagement via displacement of responsibility. Integrating fairness heuristic theory, we further argue that overall justice provides a powerful heuristic that mitigates the potential loss of sense of agency associated with monitoring. Accordingly, we suggest that employee perceptions of high justice will attenuate displacement of responsibility and, in turn, deviance. Across a field study and an experimental study, we find converging support for our predictions and rule out alternative explanations. This research provides important theoretical and practical insights into how monitoring can be used effectively without also promoting unintended consequences.

Development of Moral Disengagement

2020 ◽  
pp. 305-326
Author(s):  
Kay Bussey
Keyword(s):  
Moral Agency ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Immoral Behavior ◽  
Moral Standards ◽  
And Behavior

Most people learn to distinguish right from wrong and good from bad in the early years. However, people do not always act in accord with this knowledge. Sometimes there is a mismatch between adopting moral standards and behaving in line with them. From the social cognitive theory view of moral agency, it is posited that this mismatch between standards and behavior is accommodated by invoking moral disengagement mechanisms. These mechanisms serve to exonerate immoral behavior, thereby reducing the discomfort and guilt that would typically be experienced when moral standards are violated. By justifying immoral behavior individuals are able to maintain their belief that they are moral people while behaving badly. This chapter examines the roots and developmental trajectory of moral disengagement. Social and cognitive factors associated with its development are examined along with its selective use in different contexts. Future research is needed to uncover the factors that support the use of moral disengagement mechanisms in certain contexts by some people.

scholarly journals ATTITUDE AND INTENTION TO INFRINGE SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT OF VIETNAMESE STUDENTS

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 83-95
Author(s):  
Thao Thi Phuong Hoang ◽  
Hieu Huy Ha
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Ho Chi Minh City ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Social ◽  
Software Copyright ◽  
Economic Barriers

The article explores factors influencing Vietnamese students’ attitude and intention to infringe software copyright, on the basis of applying the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and related studies. The research sample consists of 358 students in universities in Ho Chi Minh City. Data is analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results indicate that factors affecting the intention to violate the software copyright are social norms, incentive, deterrents, attitude and moral disengagement, in which the moral disengagement is the most important factor. The research proposes some managerial solutions for software producers and related organizations to increase users’ awareness of intellectual property law, limit incentive and create technique and economic barriers to prevent the infringement of software copyright.

Examining Whether the Social Cognitive Theory Concepts Predict Childhood Obesity Prevention Outcome Expectations

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-151
Author(s):  
Dayna S. Alexander ◽  
Chunhua Cao ◽  
Moya L. Alfonso
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
The Social

The social cognitive theory (SCT) has been used to explain and promote childhood obesity prevention behaviors. We examined whether the SCT concepts predicted outcome expectations of childhood obesity among the children of African American caregivers. Caregivers ( n  = 128) completed the childhood obesity perceptions paper-based survey. A multiple linear regression was conducted to determine the direct effects of moral disengagement, environment, self-efficacy, and behavioral capability on outcome expectations ( p < .05). A mediation analysis using a bootstrapping bias correction method was used to test whether self-efficacy and behavioral capability mediated the effect of moral disengagement and environment on outcome expectations. Caregivers reported high levels of moral disengagement ( M = 4.13; standard deviation [ SD] = 0.70) and self-efficacy ( M = 4.26; SD = 0.64) and moderate levels of behavioral capability ( M = 2.83; SD = 0.75) and environment ( M = 2.92; SD = 0.74). Findings indicated the hypothesized relationships in the SCT were not fully supported. In addition, the indirect effects of environment on outcome expectations were not statistically significantly mediated by behavioral capability. This research warrants more attention in testing the SCT concepts for the development of childhood obesity prevention efforts that prioritize African American families in rural communities.

scholarly journals Moral Disengagement and Cyber Bullying, A Mediator Role of Emphatic Tendency

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-34
Author(s):  
Fuad Bakioğlu ◽  
Bahtiyar Eraslan Çapan
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Cyber Bullying ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Mediator Role

The aim of this study is to investigate a mediator role of emphatic tendency in the relationship between moral disengagement and cyber bullying. The participants comprised 338 Turkish adolescents. The age of participants ranged between 11 and 18 years. The study data was gathered using the Moral Disengagement Scale, the Cyber Bullying Scale and the Emphatic Tendency Scale. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling. A bootstrapping analysis was conducted in order to determine any indirect effects. The results show that moral disengagement predicted cyber bullying positively and emphatic tendency negatively, and that emphatic tendency predicted cyber bullying negatively. It was further found that the structural equation model, which proposes that moral disengagement, has a direct and an indirect effect through emphatic tendency on cyber bullying was confirmed. The results of the study are discussed in the light of Social Cognitive Theory, and suggestions for future studies are made.

scholarly journals The Motivational Underpinnings of Intentions to Use Doping in Sport: A Sample of Young Non-Professional Athletes

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5411
Author(s):  
Andrea Chirico ◽  
Fabio Lucidi ◽  
Gennaro Pica ◽  
Daniela Di Santo ◽  
Federica Galli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Deviant Behavior ◽  
Sport Activity ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Harmonious Passion ◽  
Personal Significance ◽  
Sports Sciences

Doping use is considered as a deviant behavior in sport contexts, and it is necessary to recognize preventive factors to shut down the negative consequences. We proposed that athletes experiencing loss of personal significance would be more prone to doping use intentions. This pathway should occur through the effect of the enhanced predominance of obsessive (vs. harmonious) passion that such athletes experience concerning their sport activity, which, in turn, facilitates the adoption of moral disengagement strategies to find justifications for it, when they perceive that significant others approve their intention. The study relied on a cross-over design, with a convenience sample of 437 athletes recruited at four sports sciences Universities evenly distributed in Italy. Questionnaires administered contained a validated tool based on Kruglanski’s theorizing on radical and deviant behavior (e.g., Loss of Significance, Obsessive, and Harmonious passion) and deriving from social cognitive theory (e.g., Moral disengagement). Results of the study tested a serial mediation moderated model, which links the different variables to explain the influence they have on the intentions to use doping. Overall, this research suggests a motivational dynamic that may be at the heart of illicit behaviors in sport, such as using drugs-enhancing performance potentially among athletes of all kinds.

Medical managers’ managerial self-efficacy and role clarity: How do they bridge the budgetary participation–performance link?

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela S Macinati ◽  
Gabriele Cantaluppi ◽  
Marco Giovanni Rizzo
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Role Clarity ◽  
Organizational Goals ◽  
Budgetary Participation ◽  
And Performance

This study explains the process ‘'how'' organizational accounting practices, such as budgetary participation, influence medical doctors' perceptions and beliefs associated with their hybrid role and what the consequences are on their performance. Building on social cognitive theory, we hypothesize a structural model in which managerial self-efficacy and role clarity mediate the effects of budgetary participation on performance. The data were collected by a survey conducted in an Italian hospital. The research hypotheses were tested employing a path model. The results suggest that role clarity and managerial self-efficacy fully mediate the link between budgetary participation and performance. From a managerial viewpoint results suggest that organizations that invest in budgetary participation will also affect individual beliefs about the perceived benefits of participation itself, since an information-rich internal environment allows employees to experience a clearer sense of direction through organizational goals. According to our results, organizations that seek self-directed employees should pay attention to the experience the medical managers acquire through budgetary participation. In fact, this event influences the employees' mental states—and specifically provides them with information needed to perform in the role and enhance their judgment of their own capabilities to organize and execute the required course of actions—which take on internal psychological motivation to reach performance levels.

scholarly journals Validation of the Moral Disengagement Scale among Some Iranian University Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Azimpour ◽  
Navid Karimian ◽  
Nourollah Mohamadi ◽  
Maryam Azarnioushan ◽  
Fatemeh Rahmani
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Social Cognitive Theory ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Social Desirability ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
The Social ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Item Scale

Background: Moral disengagement is a variable in the social cognitive theory of morality and includes eight cognitive, psychosocial mechanisms by which moral self-sanctions are selectively disengaged from inhumane conduct. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to validate a university student replica of the moral disengagement scale among some Iranian university students. Methods: This validation study was based on the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) method. The statistical population consisted of 346 undergraduate students at the Salman Farsi University of Kazerun. Also, 44 other undergraduate students were participated to examine the test-retest reliability of the scale. Both samples were selected by convenient sampling. The main sample completed the 32-item Moral Disengagement scale and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. CFA (by AMOS 24), stability coefficients, Cronbach's alpha, and multiple analysis of variance (ANOVA) (all by SPSS 16) were used to study gender differences. Results: The indices of CFA for the 32-item scale were not satisfactory, then an item in all subscales with the lesser beta was dropped, and the scale included only 24-items. The indices of CFA of the 24-item scale were satisfactory. The internal consistency for the whole scale was desirable (α: .817) and for the subscales were adequate. Test-retest correlations were not desirable for the whole scale (r: .693) and for the subscales. The total score and the scores of some subscales were negatively correlated with social desirability. The total score and the scores of some subscales also were greater in males. Conclusions: The satisfactory indices of CFA and also the higher scores of males in the 24-item scale confirmed its construct validity. However, correlations between the scale and social desirability did not confirm the ideal divergent validity. Thus, assessing the social desirability of the scale can clarify interpreting the scores. The obtained test-retest reliability suggests that this scale cannot assess a stable variable, and according to the social cognitive theory, it is better to consider moral disengagement as a changeable and inconstant variable.

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