The Normalization of Corrupt Business Practices: Implications for Integrative Social Contracts Theory (ISCT)

Journal of Business Ethics · 2009 · Volume 88 · Issue 4

Abstract

I propose that the emphasis on “authentic” norms in the ISCT literature does not encompass the possibility of community norms that facilitate and maintain corrupt behavior. To fill this gap, I build on the normalization of corruption literature to present a typology of community norms that distinguishes between authentic, behavioral, and aspirational norm types as well as between illegitimate, authentic norms and illegitimate, behavioral norms. By refining the terminology used to evaluate community norms, I propose that ISCT can be more easily applied to cases of systemic corruption.

Keywords

integrative social contracts theory (ISCT), corruption, normalization, social norms

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