Losing Control: A Test of Containment Theory and Ethical Decision Making

Jay P. Kennedy

Michigan State University, United States of America

Abstract:

This paper applies Reckless' theory of containment to the problem of unethical business decision making. Containment theory asserts that deviance will occur when controls are weakened to the point of being insufficient to contain motivated behavior in the presence of an unethical opportunity. The theory accounts for the presence of inner controls and outer controls, as well as factors that push or pull an individual toward deviant acts. Results of this study indicate that factors of outer containment may be more important to controlling the development of unethical business behavior. However, the influences of factors of containment, either inner or outer, vary by the type of situation an individual is facing.

Keyword:

Containment Theory, Ethical Decision-Making, Deviance.