A ‘Grey’ Side of Family Business Ethics? Looking into the Interplay of Internal and External Ethical Orientations: Empirical Insights from the Wine Industry

Elena Casprini (), Rocco Palumbo, Jacopo Cammeo and Lorenzo Zanni
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Elena Casprini: University of Siena
Rocco Palumbo: University Rome “Tor Vergata”
Jacopo Cammeo: University of Siena
Lorenzo Zanni: University of Siena

Journal of Business Ethics, 2025, vol. 198, issue 4, No 3, 749-770

Abstract: Abstract Drawing on virtue ethics and stakeholder theory, the article investigates the unfolding of business ethics in the wine industry, with a focus on family businesses. Attention is specifically paid to the interplay of internal (i.e., employees-centeredness and organizational inclusiveness) and external (i.e., people-centeredness and territorial development) ethical orientations. A unique sample of 164 Italian wine businesses was built to get evidence of how the nexus of internal and external ethical orientations is handled, emphasizing the distinctive traits of family businesses. We found that employee-centeredness nurtured organizational inclusiveness and fostered people-centeredness. Interestingly, the family businesses’ concern for territorial development curbed the positive implications of employee-centeredness on people-centeredness. The study results extend scholarly knowledge, shedding light on a ‘grey’ side of family businesses’ ethics.

Keywords: Business ethics; Family businesses; Wine industry; Employee-centeredness; People-centeredness; Territorial development; Organizational inclusiveness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-025-05944-8

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