Kazakhstani Business Student Work-Related Ethical Perceptions and Choices: An Exploratory Analysis
Yuliya Frolova, DBA
Bang College of Business, KIMEP University, Kazakhstan
and
John Dixon, PhD
College of Social Sciences, KIMEP University, Kazakhstan
Abstract: The objectives of this paper are (1) to analyze the perception of work-related ethics by Kazakhstani students studying business at KIMEP University and (2) to understand what causes students behavior choice in the situations that may give rise to ethical dilemma. Data collection process was conducted in two stages. At the first stage, the students received a list of twenty one items each of which described a behavior that is considered unethical in most organizations. They were asked how often they would exercise the specific behavior using a four point Likert-type scale. At the second stage, the students were given a list of eight multiple-choice questions aimed to find out whether the students had a separate course on ethics, whether it changed their perception of what is ethical and what is not, whether instructors of business courses discuss ethics in class, and etc. The findings indicate that business students are inclined to be ethical in their behavior, rather than unethical. The study revealed that young people are very concerned about how their parents and friends evaluate the ethicality or the acceptability of their behavior. It also showed that university professors also contribute to the development of ethicality of their students, however, their contribution seems to have the residual impact.
Keywords: ethics, business students, perception, intention, Kazakhstan