The limits to moral erosion in markets: Social norms and the replacement excuse
| Autor: | Bartling, Björn, Özdemir, Yagiz |
|---|---|
| Přispěvatelé: | University of Zurich, Bartling, Björn |
| Rok vydání: | 2023 |
| Předmět: |
Economics and Econometrics
utilitarianism Finance / Replacement excuse 2002 Economics and Econometrics moral behavior Soziale Norm Moralisches Handeln deontological ethics 330 Economics ECON Department of Economics 10007 Department of Economics 2003 Finance Unternehmensethik markets Geschäftsidee ddc:330 C92 replacement excuse D02 D63 social norms competition Finance Utilitarismus |
| DOI: | 10.5167/uzh-227319 |
| Popis: | This paper studies the impact of a key feature of competitive markets on moral behavior: the possibility that a competitor will step in and conclude the deal if a conscientious market actor forgoes a profitable business opportunity for ethical reasons. We study experimentally whether people employ the argument "if I don't do it, someone else will" to justify taking a narrowly self-interested action. Our data reveal a clear pattern. Subjects do not employ the "replacement excuse" if a social norm exists that classifies the selfish action as immoral. But if no social norm exists, subjects are more inclined to take a selfish action in situations where another subject can otherwise take it. By demonstrating the importance of social norms of moral behavior for limiting the power of the replacement excuse, our paper informs the long-standing debate on the effect of markets on morals. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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