Are Callings Always Ethically Good? Why and When Occupational Calling Inhibits Unethical Decision-Making Among Researchers

Baoguo Xie (), Xinrou Zhang (), Xueyuan Gao () and Xiaoxue Zhou ()
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Baoguo Xie: Wuhan University of Technology
Xinrou Zhang: Wuhan University of Technology
Xueyuan Gao: China University of Labor Relations
Xiaoxue Zhou: Beijing Jiaotong University

Journal of Business Ethics, 2024, vol. 191, issue 2, No 9, 357-372

Abstract: Abstract In recent years, attention to researchers’ scientific misconduct has increased dramatically. Although existing research reflects a shared value that occupational calling is an ethical good (i.e., being more likely to make ethical choices), no empirical study has yet examined the ethical outcomes of occupational calling. Drawing on the integrated ethical decision-making model (I-EDM), this study first investigated whether occupational calling inhibits researchers’ unethical decision-making. Secondly, it examined why and when occupational calling relates to researchers’ unethical decision-making. The findings from a four-wave survey, with 257 researchers working in research roles in universities in China, reveal that occupational calling (time 1) inhibits researchers’ unethical decision-making (time 4). Moral disengagement (time 3) provides an explanation for the negative link between occupational calling (time 1) and unethical decision-making (time 4). The moderated mediation analysis further shows that the inhibitory effect of occupational calling (time 1) on researchers’ unethical decision-making (time 4) disappears when the work-unit structure (time 2) is perceived to be organic. These findings provide meaningful theoretical and practical implications for research and practice.

Keywords: Occupational calling; Moral disengagement; Unethical decision-making; Work-unit structure; I-EDM (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-023-05471-4

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