Identifying the Barriers of Unethical Behaviors in the Organization–(Case Study: Petrochemical Industry)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Management College, University of Tehran

2 College of Management, University of Tehran

3 Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

One of the most important challenges faced by today's organizations is unethical behavior. In the studied organization, one of the managers' concerns is to prevent such behaviors. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the factors that prevent unethical behavior in the organization. To achieve this goal, the qualitative research method of thematic analysis with the approach of King and Horrocks was used, which has three stages descriptive coding, interpretive coding, and overarching themes. In order to collect data, semi-structured interviews were used with managers and senior employees of the studied organization (one of the Iranian companies in the petrochemical industry) who were selected by snowball sampling. The result of conducting 14 interviews, was 94 descriptive codes, 14 interpretive codes, and 4 overarching themes. The results of the research showed that the factors preventing unethical behaviors are composed of individual and psychological factors, interpersonal and group factors, contextual-organizational factors, and institutional and environmental factors, and the components of those are personal beliefs and values; ethics-based attitudes and motives; Morality-based personal behaviors; Ethical collective behaviors and interactions; role models and behavioral coaches; In-group positive attitudes and behaviors; Absence of destructive political behavior; effective and capable management; efficient support, punishment, and control system; development of the transparency system; Effective actions and processes of human resource management; ethical organizational culture; family context, socialization and economic-social and cultural motivators.

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References

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Journal of Research in Human Resources Management
Volume 16, Issue 4 - Serial Number 58
NO.58, Winter Quarterly
March 2025
Pages 107-138

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History

  • Receive Date: 31 May 2024
  • Revise Date: 01 October 2024
  • Accept Date: 09 March 2025

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