| Summary: | Following a 3 [dilemma: coercion and control (CC); conflict of interest (CI); personal
integrity (PI)] × 2 (egoism: self; organization) × 2 (belief in just world (BJW): strong;
weak) between-subjects factorial design, we hypothesized the main effects of ethical
dilemma, egoism, and BJW, and their interaction on ethical reasoning. The first two
factors were manipulated by means of six vignettes and the last factor was a subject
variable. Experimental participants were 384 managers representing 14 manufacturing
organizations. Overall, utilitarian reasoning appeared to be a frequently used type of
reasoning in relation to personal integrity dilemma involving self-interest, whereas
principled reasoning appeared to be a frequently used reasoning in relation to personal
integrity dilemma involving organizational-interest. BJW interacted strongly with the two
manipulated factors in predicting ethical reasoning. Implications of the study are
discussed, potential caveats are specified and recommendations for future research are
provided.
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