Moral Categorization of Opportunists in Cross-Border Interfirm Relationships

Selma Kadic-Maglajlic*, Claude Obadia, Irena Vida, Matthew J. Robson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

This study draws on theory of dyadic morality and categorization to disentangle opportunistic behaviors from the perception by their victim that leads to the moral categorization of the perpetrator as an opportunist. We show that it is this moral categorization, not the behaviors, that determines the trust beliefs of the victim. Further, the effect of psychic distance on the process of perpetrator moral categorization as an opportunist depends on the form of opportunistic behaviors. Finally, this study questions the cultural universality of opportunism by showing that effects of opportunistic behaviors on categorization vary across national cultures - based on data sets of French and Slovene exporters.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Business Ethics
Number of pages18
ISSN0167-4544
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Dec 2022

Bibliographical note

Epub ahead of print. Published online: 5. December 2022.

Keywords

  • Opportunistic behavior
  • Psychic distance
  • Trust
  • Moral categorization

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