ABSTRACT

This paper develops a neutralization framework of the effects of shareholder pressures on ethical climate, organizational behaviours, and student outcomes in the for-profit higher education (FP) industry. Using a qualitative interpretative approach, we interviewed twenty former and current FP employees with direct insight and experiences into FP. We present empirical evidence showing how employees realized their organizations’ unethical climate and used neutralization techniques to rationalize their continued participation in these organizations. This paper advances ethics research in higher education marketing by unpacking how profit maximization goals lead to unethical recruiting tactics, creating a cascade of ethical problems throughout the organization.

摘要

本文开发了一个中和框架，用于研究股东压力对营利性高等教育 (FP) 行业的道德氛围、组织行为和学生成绩的影响。我们使用定性解释方法采访了 20 名对 FP 有直接见解和经验的前任和现任 FP 员工。我们提供的经验证据表明，员工如何认识到其组织的不道德氛围，并使用中和技术来合理化他们对这些组织的持续参与。本文通过揭示利润最大化目标如何导致不道德的招聘策略，从而在整个组织中产生一系列道德问题，推进了高等教育营销中的道德研究。