Ethical sensitivity in management decisions : Developing and testing a perceptual measure among management and professional student groups

An emerging literature in behavioral ethics conceptualizes ethical perception or sensitivity as a critical part of the decision making process. This study appears to be the first to empirically test this concept in organization and management decision making. A measure of ethical sensitivity is developed and tested in a decision making exercise. Subjects for the study are 156 students from programs in business management, public administration, and engineering. The relationship of ethical sensitivity to decision outcome is assessed.