Ethical entrepreneurs: a study of perceptions

Sandra L. Christensen, Robert G. Schwartz and Mary Ann Keogh Hoss

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2008, vol. 6, issue 1, 114-132

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a survey of early stage incubator sited entrepreneurial technology firms. Firms were asked about their views on ethics and the ethical climate of their organisations. Results indicated that respondents tend to think of themselves as ethical and do not feel they must sacrifice their ethics to succeed in their ventures. The results also show that most early-stage entrepreneurs have a code of ethics that is communicated to employees. Contrary to anecdotal and theoretical suggestions that entrepreneurs are by nature more likely to 'bend rules' and act unethically, these results lend support to studies that have found that entrepreneurs are ethical.

Keywords: ethics; ethical entrepreneurship; ethical climate; codes of ethics. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijesbu:v:6:y:2008:i:1:p:114-132

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