The Benefits to the Human Spirit of Acting Ethically at Work: The Effects of Professional Moral Courage on Work Meaningfulness and Life Well-Being

Matthew D. Deeg () and Douglas R. May ()
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Matthew D. Deeg: Abilene Christian University
Douglas R. May: The University of Kansas

Journal of Business Ethics, 2022, vol. 181, issue 2, No 8, 397-411

Abstract: Abstract Organizations receive multiple benefits when their members act ethically. Of interest in this study is if the actors receive benefits as well, especially as individuals look to work to fulfill psychological and social needs in addition to economic ones. Specifically, we highlight a series of ongoing ethical practices embodied in professional moral courage and their relationship to actor’s work meaningfulness and life well-being. Drawing on self-determination theory and affective events theory, we explore how exercising professional moral courage in one’s work leads to positive work and life outcomes. Data from 106 administrative staff of non-profit organizations demonstrates the positive benefits of adopting ethical practices at work. Specifically, professional moral courage is found to be significantly related to both work meaningfulness and individual eudaimonic life well-being. Our findings note positive benefits for individuals who incorporate professional moral courage into their daily lives and provide support for organizations seeking to encourage it from their employees; benefits for organizations and employees go beyond just the gains from ethical behavior into other positive psychological processes. Implications for future work that considers both the psychological and normative approaches to meaningful work are discussed.

Keywords: Work meaningfulness; Professional moral courage; Positive organizational ethics; Flourishing; Well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-021-04980-4

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