Does moral commitment predict resistance to corruption? experimental evidence from a bribery game

Corruption is ubiquitous in practice and has severe negative consequences for organizations and societies at large. Drawing on a laboratory experiment, we propose that individuals high in moral commitment are less likely to engage in corrupt behaviors and prefer foregoing financial benefits. Specifically, we posit that individuals refrain from corruption (i) the more they endorse integrity (incorruptibility) as a protected value and (ii) the higher their level of Honesty-Humility. The results of a two-step experiment largely support our expectations: people who treat compromises to integrity as unacceptable were less willing to accept bribes, and Honesty-Humility decreased bribe-giving. The findings are robust to demographic variables (e.g., age, gender, cultural background) and additional personal characteristics (e.g., risk tolerance, dispositional greed) and have important implications for ongoing theory-building efforts and business practice.

The Impacts of COVID-19 on Business Practice: Some Key Insights

This paper provides an overview of some of the key economic impacts of COVID-19 on business practice, especially in the U.S. In particular, we synthesize some of the latest research, findings and developments from various academic literature and business sources to provide a managerial perspective of the effects of this pandemic. In addition, we show some characteristics of the so-called “new normal” and what kind of innovative business opportunities could arise as a result of the fundamental changes in the global economy. We conclude by highlighting how some emerging countries like India could tap into such opportunities despite the dire global situation.

Mapping the Collaborative Platform Economy Business Practice

This study aims to develop a typological configuration that characterizes the full spectrum of collaborative platform economy business practice in the real world. The analysis is conducted on the basis of a large-scale data set which contains information on 1,335 representative platforms in more than 60 countries on five continents, covering almost all collaborative platform economy business practices mentioned in academic journals and public media. Leveraging the k-means clustering method, an empirical typology comprising seven categories of collaborative platform economy business practice is proposed: collaborative support platform, resource supply platform, authentic C2C platform, C2C mutualized mobility platform, hybrid service platform, B2C service platforms, collaborative finance platform. In addition, with the help of operating status data of the collaborative platform economy, a cross-comparative analysis was also carried out on the category differences and geographic differences.

NEW CHALLENGES IN INCOTERMS IN THE BACKGROUND OF THEIR HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

INCOTERMS conditions are internationally recognized delivery clauses. Their advantage is comprehensibility and uniform interpretation by the contracting parties, as well as easy incorporation into the contract. An undeniable advantage is the regular update. The individual updates reflect trends in international business practice and therefore clarify or repeal existing clauses or introduce new ones as needed. The aim of the article is to evaluate the development of the INCOTERMS clauses on their historical development and their impact on international commercial law relations, and through this to outline possible future developments. The authors also consider whether, given the rapid technological progress, the current ten-year cycle of revision of the INCOTERMS clauses is appropriate or whether it is too long. Among the new trends, the authors point to new types of transport, especially unmanned drones, and the continuing trend of a transparent and secure logistics chain.

The Impact of the Merchant’s Confession in the Development of Business Law during the Siglo de Oro: the Casuistic Approach of Tomàs de Mercado and Martin de Azpilcueta to Commercial Law.

In 16th century Spain, the confessor and the merchant had a privileged relationship, resulting from the new economic practices induced by the Great Discoveries. The merchant must, for the salvation of his soul, engage in commercial activity in accordance with Christian morality. Through confession, the confessor provides legal and theological advices necessary to achieve this purpose, but also judges the morality of his penitent by deciding whether or not to absolve him. Therefore, the confessor must know both the Christian moral precepts designed to govern business life, and the institutions of civil law used in business practice. An issue raised by the penitent is a case of conscience, which the confessor must resolve by formulating a moral resolution. This resolution could be a certain or only a probable one, and therefore subject to debate against other probable opinions. These resolutions were then incorporated among others into the casuistic literature that was to be diffused throughout Europe for the use of both confessors and penitents.

Structure as an innovation

The purpose of the chapter is to present basic theoretical fundaments in the field of structurally significant formations that companies apply in the process of their business operations, market projections and innovative changes. Organizational forms and structures are presented in the evolutionary context of the time parameter, applying a chronological historical landmark. Knowledge of the variety of possibilities for structural dimensions of the functional manifestations of business activity provides an expanded range of possible solutions. Basic definition formulations are considered. The emphasis is on the organization and organizational structural forms, changes in their practical dimensions in accordance with the changes in purely managerial knowledge and the needs of business practice for innovative changes in various functions in the scope of company’s activity. With the help of various creative and purely managerial approaches, through cognitive brainstorming activities, a set of analytical, inductive-deductive, case and simulation methods, students gain new knowledge, practical skills and visionary views on the presented issues—by combining theoretical statements, empirical factology and analytical assignments based on the principle of learning by doing. The topic draws students’ attention to the study, selection and construction of internal units and structures, including innovative ones, as part of the necessary business projections for the construction of sustainable processes to generate new value and positive impacts for the environment and stakeholders.

Microdosing of Psychoactive Substances in Business Practice

Abusing psychoactive substances has been a popular sport in the business world since the mid-19th century. First, they were appreciated for their stimulating or tonic effects, but later with psychedelics on the scene, their importance in subculture matured. In the last decade, it has become very popular to use LSD and cocaine in subtle doses, which provides users with a high that is enough to feel their psychoactive potential, but not as high that significant behavioral changes can be seen. Unlike regular use, microdosing is usually sufficient to affect a few without undue finish and withdrawal symptoms. It allows for abuse in the regular mode of the working week with a rest phase on the weekend. The diametric difference between the abuse of standard dosing and micro-dosing is also in the decreasing tolerance of the organism. Over time, an organism permanently exposed to microdosing of stimulants is sufficient to achieve a gradually decreasing dose effect that psychedelics develop resistance to. Case studies of such prolonged use were described and analyzed to show the role of microdosing in the creative world and for business managers. Initial field research, funded by the Newton University internal grant, focused on contamination mapping in office spaces for employees in target positions. Further research continues on the investigation of microdosing in conditions of corporate reality.