Perceptions About Ethical Behavior Among Undergraduate Students Attending Religiously-Affiliated Institutions

Abstract

By controlling for size and existence of a religious affiliation and gender, this study adds to the literature regarding opinions of undergraduate business students about the ethical nature of both academic and business related actions. Analysis of student survey data from two institutions similar in these characteristics continues in this longitudinal study. After the data were separated by gender, ethical perceptions of male students significantly differed for business-related dishonest acts for those male students who had taken two or more courses in religion, but church service attendance did not seem to have any effect. This may suggest that taking more courses (or having more dialogs) in which moral issues beyond academics are discussed may affect male student perceptions of ethical issues outside the institution.