Judgment in the ethical decision-making process: A qualitative semiological and structural analysis in the field of purchasing
Our study proposes to understand the determinants of the ethical judgment of buyers confronted with dilemma situations. Using the theoretical framework of Jones (1991) and Fritzsche and Becker (1984), the research carried out analyzes the judgments of 172 buyers. The new methodology coupling 3 methods of qualitative analysis (lexical, semantic and structural) allows to generate results which show that ethical judgment is based on 8 key elements: confrontation, consequences, valuation, commitment, qualities of the individual, lack of emotion, speed of judgment and contingency factors. Judgments are based on an assessment of the economic, commercial and then social consequences. The ethical dilemmas do not shock the respondents.