The study of Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development theory and ethics: Considerations in public administration practices

Abstract

This study uses Kohlberg's cognitive moral development theory (CMD) to test Virginia Commerce and Trade managers' ethical decision-making in the Piedmont, Tidewater, Mountain, and Northern, Virginia regions. This study also employs James Rest's Defining Issues Test (DIT) survey instrument to determine the relationship between Virginia Commerce and Trade managers' age, gender, education, and ethics training and their level of moral development. The results of this research will have significant implications for both the study and practice of public administration ethics. Public managers will realize the ramifications of maintaining an ethical environment as well as the role that education plays in the ethical maturity of its employees. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)

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