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Why do Employees Steal?

Assessing Differences in Ethical and Unethical Employee Behavior Using Ethical Work Climates

Duquesne University, weberj{at}duq.edu

Lance B. Kurke

Duquesne University, kurke{at}duq.edu

David W. Pentico

Duquesne University, pentico{at}duq.edu

In a rare opportunity, the authors gathered data from two matched health care providers managed by an insurance company where auditors had discovered theft by employees in one of the matched organizations. Data were gathered about the organizations' ethical work climates (EWCs). Analysis revealed statistically significant differences in EWCs across the two organizations. As predicted, the organization with the morally preferred EWCs did not have theft. Both macro- and micro-organizational influences are explored to explain these differences, along with implications for practitioners and academic research. This is the first study to suggest that a priori EWCs can be useful in predicting observable behavior.

Key Words: business ethics • ethical behavior • ethical work climates • employee theft • theft by employees • health care providers

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