What Goes Wrong: Integrity Violations

Abstract

While the previous chapter focused on the “bright” side of ethics and integrity, this chapter focuses on the “dark side” the violation of moral values and norms, such as the official who accepts a bribe or discriminates against a citizen. In integrity and ethics research, much attention is paid to this dark side; for example, most research aimed at measuring the integrity of an organization or society measures the presence of corrupt behavior and other forms of unethical behavior. Why, we do not know, although one probable reason is that “bad behavior” and violation of norms and values are easier to measure than “good behavior” and adherence to the values and norms we appreciate and admire.