Understanding attributional antecedents towards institutionalising ethics

Purpose This study aims to advance the understanding of how individual differences, situational factors, and symbolic factors influence the institutionalisation of ethics. Design/methodology/approach The analysis in this report and the study scope is based on an open-ended survey completed by employees at a Community Health Institute in Australia. Findings Findings indicate that a combination of attributional antecedents is integrated into everyday task responsibilities, which can be facilitated through top management behaviour and the development of policies that promote ethical work practices and decision-making. Practical implications The study framework provides significant opportunities for guiding employees ethically towards sustaining an ethical organisational culture. The study offers several implications for managers and policymakers and provides insightful directions for future research. Originality/value The study extends the current literature by proposing a model that elucidates the relationship between cognition and action, based on individual attributes, symbolic and situational influences, thereby contributing to the ethical decision-making model.