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On culture, ethics and hierarchy: How cultural variations in hierarchical relations are manifested in the code of ethics of British and Korean organizations

Moon, Chanki, Uskul, Ayse K., Weick, Mario (2018) On culture, ethics and hierarchy: How cultural variations in hierarchical relations are manifested in the code of ethics of British and Korean organizations. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 48 (1). pp. 15-27. ISSN 0021-9029. (doi:10.1111/jasp.12486) (KAR id:63936)

Abstract

The present research examined if cultural differences in the extent to which hierarchical relations dictate individuals’ behaviors are embedded in objective institutional regulations. Using quantitative and qualitative analysis, we examined codes of ethics of Korean and British organizations in relation to working relationships and corruptive behaviors. We found that, unlike British organizations, Korean organizations endorsed codes of ethics that place greater emphasis on hierarchical relations and contained prescriptions for individuals occupying senior or junior ranks. Ethical codes also appeared to be geared more towards preventing the abuse of power in Korean organizations compared with British organizations. Finally, unlike British organizations, Korean organizations often permitted top-down exchanges (not bottom-up exchanges), suggesting that in upper echelons benevolence may be more normative in Korean organizations than in British organizations.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/jasp.12486
Uncontrolled keywords: Code of Ethics, Culture, Organizational Culture, Hierarchy
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Mario Weick
Date Deposited: 10 Oct 2017 19:09 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 19:55 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/63936 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Moon, Chanki.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Uskul, Ayse K..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8013-9931
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Weick, Mario.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7809-3003
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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