Abstract
A campaign by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, begun in 1994, led to over 1,600 Hong Kong companies and trade associations adopting codes of ethics by December 1996. This study analyzed motives for code adoption; code content; how codes were developed, supported and enforced; and code impact. Primary data was collected through cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys, semi-structured interviews, observation, and document analysis. Press cuttings and published statistics were also used. Main findings were that some best practice prescriptions for code adoption were not followed, but that codes nonetheless helped preserve ethical standards and an anti-corruption image. Directions are suggested for further research into cultural effects on business ethics policy, practice and effectiveness.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 493-518 |
Number of pages | 26 |
Journal | Asia Pacific Journal of Management |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2000 |
Bibliographical note
We also thank Ms. Almaz M-K Chak and Ms. Jess W-H Chu for conducting interviews, questionnaire surveys, content analysis of written codes and related statistical analyses.Funding
We thank the Research Grants Council, Hong Kong, for financial support via grant no. 9040120 and Hong Kong Ethics Development Center for background information.