Moral intensity and decision-making: A study applied to higher education students in management

Abstract

Considering the scarcity of research about students as future decision-makers, this study aims to assess to what extent moral intensity, and its dimensions, is associated with ethical decision-making. The variables ethical ideology, religiosity and sociodemographic variables (age and gender) were also considered as potentially associated factors. A quantitative research method was used and data was collected using a questionnaire applied to 87 management students. The findings partially confirm the authors' expectations and the underlying theoretical framework, suggesting some associations between moral intensity, religiosity and sociodemographic attributes, and ethical decision-making. Reflections on the implications of the curricular structure of management courses are presented and additional studies are recommended to better understand the factors underlying ethical decision-making.