The relationship between belief in a just world and marketing practitioners'perception towards the importance of ethics and social responsibility

Most research on the perceived importance of the role of ethics and social responsibility for organizational success (PRESOR) concentrates on individual and organizational characteristics such as individual ethical ideologies, code of ethics and corporate ethical values. Still, little research considers individual's psychological characteristics and how they interact with PRESOR. Thus, this research investigate how one's belief in a just world links with PRESOR. First, a conceptual framework of the relationship between belief in just world and PRESOR was synthesized from ethical decision making literature. Then 250 marketing practitioners, those who were employed in 133 listed companies in Colombo stock exchange were surveyed about the effect of belief in a just world on PRESOR. Correlation analysis and Barren and Kenny's test of mediation were used to analyze data and to test the hypotheses. The results provided support for the conceptual framework, with stronger belief in a just world improving PRESOR but through the ethical sensitivity of marketing practitioners. An implication for managers is that recognition of subordinates belief in just world can be used to improve PRESOR. Future, research directions are also suggested.