Culture and unethical conduct: Understanding the impact of individualism and collectivism on actual plagiarism
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This criterion study examined the impact of the cultural dimensions of individualism and collectivism on actual plagiarism in working business students. Given globalization of business and recent business scandals, furthering our understanding of international ethics remains critical. Business students are the potential employees, managers and leaders of organizations in the future. In this study we focus on one form of unethical conduct by business students, i.e. actual plagiarism, and seek to determine the link between this behavior and cultural values of individualism/collectivism and associated stereotypes of Asian/Caucasian students. Our findings suggest that individualists plagiarize more than collectivists, and that no significant differences in plagiarism exist between Asian and Caucasian students, contrary to popular beliefs. The implications of these findings for scholars and managers are discussed.
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In individualistic societies, students may see academic success as personal achievement and be more prone to academic misconduct to improve their grades.
“In individualistic societies, students may see academic success as personal achievement and be more prone to academic misconduct to improve their grades (Martin, 2012).”
From Ethical use of artificial intelligence based tools in higher education: Are future business leaders ready? (2025) · cites this paper as Martin, 2012
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- Authors
- Martin, D. E.
- Affiliations
- California State University System (US)
- Corresponding author
- Martin, Daniel E
- ORCID
- Martin, Daniel E
- Venue
- Management Learning
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2011-12-02
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 261-273
- ISSN
- 1350-5076 (ISSN-L)
- 1461-7307
- OpenAlex
- W2104633888
- Cited by
- 63
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 4.96
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- papers.ssrn.com
- Locations
- Management Learning (publishedVersion)
- SSRN Electronic Journal (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Academic integrity and plagiarism
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Ethics in Business and Education
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Cultural Differences and Values
- Keywords
- plagiarism, individualism, collectivism, cultural values, unethical behavior, business students, international business ethics, Asian students, Caucasian students, stereotypes, academic integrity
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