Perceptions of Human Resource Development Professionals Toward their Professional Association's Standards on Ethics and Integrity

Abstract

Researchers have identified the complexity of ethical decision making choices and the influences that assorted professional context variables have on one’s ethical frame of reference. To encourage adherence to ethical codes of conduct, professional organizations must recognize the impact that professional context variables have on ethical decision making.

The purpose of this study was to examine Human Resource Development professional’s perceptions of the Academy of Human Resource Development’s Standards on Ethics and Integrity specifically regarding applicability, clarity, and importance of statements. Additionally, this study examined whether Hofstede’s Value Survey Module grouped into a three-factor solution.

A questionnaire entitled Perceptions of Professionals and Scholars Regarding AHRD’s Standards was adapted from five sources and was piloted to ensure instrument reliability and validity. The main study involved 602 respondents for a response rate of 22% (n = 133). Results of the study indicate that respondents were clear regarding their understanding of the Standards. The highest level of clarity reported was 89.4% and the lowest level of clarity reported was 71.1%. However, respondents were indifferent about their ratings of the application of AHRD’s Standards. The percentages regarding perceived level of application between AHRD’s six statements ranged from 68% (applied) and 28.8% (infrequently applied). Using independent t-test procedures and a series of one-way ANOVAs, differences in levels of agreement were seen in the following groups: educational level, income level, and religious affiliation. Finally, this study examined if participant responses to the items extracted from Hofstede’s Value Survey Module fell into three-factor constructs of individualism/ collectivism, power distance, and uncertainty avoidance. A Principal Component Analysis indicated that the eight statements selected were representative of Hofstede’s three-factor solution of cultural dimensions.

Practical implications are discussed regarding these findings, along with explanation for some of the newly developed exploration findings. While the findings of this study were interesting, research related to the influence of professional context variables on ethical decision making needs further examination.