Business Education and Idealism as Determinants of Stakeholder Orientation

Jose-Luis Godos-Díez, Roberto Fernández-Gago, Laura Cabeza-García

Journal of Business Ethics · 2015 · Volume 131 · Issue 2

Abstract

This paper based on the distinction between the instrumental and normative views of stakeholder management explores how business education and personal moral philosophies may influence the orientation adopted by an individual. A mediated regression analysis using survey information collected from 206 Spanish university students showed that those exposed to management theories were less willing to consider stakeholders when making business decisions if the consequent economic impacts on the firm were omitted. The results also provided support for a negative effect of business education on idealism and a mediating effect of the latter on the relationship between education and stakeholder management orientation. This study thus raises awareness on the influence of business education on individuals’ ethical decision-making processes and suggests some possible changes for business education.

Keywords

Business education, Idealism, Stakeholder management, Instrumental orientation, Normative orientation

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