The Impact of Environmental, Firm, and Relational Factors on Entrepreneurs' Ethically Suspect Behaviors

Shaji A. Khan, Jintong Tang, Renhong Zhu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Entrepreneurs' engagement in ethically suspect behaviors (ESBs) can have seriously negative business and social consequences. Yet what defines entrepreneurs' ESBs remains unclear. Further, little is known about what factors contribute to such behaviors. This study provides conceptual clarification of entrepreneurs' ESBs and examines environmental, firm, and individual factors in relation to them. Results, based on data from 158 Chinese entrepreneurs, indicate that dynamism, firm performance, and relational social capital are all negatively related to ESBs. Firm performance partially mediates the relationship between dynamism and ESBs, and albeit with marginal support, the relationship between entrepreneurs' relational social capital and their ESBs.
Original languageAmerican English
JournalJournal of Small Business Management
Volume51
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2013

Disciplines

  • Economics
  • Public Relations and Advertising
  • Marketing

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