The role of individualism and collectivism as predictors of attributions for unethical work behavior : an empirical examination across two culturally diverse groups

Authors

Ana Azevedo, Florida International University

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Business Administration

First Advisor's Name

Mary Ann Von Glinow

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Karen Paul

Third Advisor's Name

Daniel Robey

Fourth Advisor's Name

Jerald Smith

Date of Defense

7-16-1997

Abstract

This dissertation addresses how the cultural dimensions of individualism and collectivism affect the attributions people make for unethical behavior at work. The moderating effect of ethnicity is also examined by considering two culturally diverse groups: Hispanics and Anglos. The sample for this study is a group of business graduate students from two universities in the Southeast. A 20-minute survey was distributed to master's degree students at their classroom and later on returned to the researcher. Individualism and collectivism were operationalized as by a set of attitude items, while unethical work behavior was introduced in the form of hypothetical descriptions or scenarios. Data analysis employed multiple group confirmatory factor analysis for both independent and dependent variables, and subsequently multiple group LISREL models, in order to test predictions. Results confirmed the expected link between cultural variables and attribution responses, although the role of independent variables shifted, due to the moderating effect of ethnicity, and to the nuances of each particular situation.

Identifier

FI14032385

Recommended Citation

Azevedo, Ana, "The role of individualism and collectivism as predictors of attributions for unethical work behavior : an empirical examination across two culturally diverse groups" (1997). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1353.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1353