Neutralization techniques as a moderating mechanism: ethically questionable behavior in the Romanian consumer context

YesBased on an empirical investigation in the context of Romania, this paper identifies a moderating role of neutralization techniques within ethically questionable consumer behavior. The quantitative study is based upon a synthesized model of Theory of Planned Behavior incorporating the factor of perceived unfairness and neutralization techniques. Significantly, neutralization techniques are shown to have a negative, but definite impact on the action to behave unethically. This leads to their consideration as a process of thinking, rather than as static judgement. As such, neutralization techniques are conceptually distinctive to the other factors. The paper analyses the results specific to the Romanian context, but noting implications for an understanding of the morality of markets with similar historical, political and economic conditions. Overall, the findings offer a more nuanced reading of consumer behavior. The paper places moral flexibility in terms of a specific cultural context, but also reveals how neutralization techniques can moderate ethically questionable behaviors beyond matters of self-interest, which in turn has implications for how companies can consider their responsibilities in relation to their customers

An Exploratory Examination of Antecedents to Software Piracy: A CrossCultural Comparison

Software piracy continues to be a growing problem on a global scale for software developers. The purpose of this study was to conduct a crosscultural comparison of a model predicting the intent of individuals to pirate software using two subsamples: Jordan and the US. Our results suggest that the Theory of Reasoned Action provides a strong predictive ability for our US subsample, but not for our Jordanian sample. Additionally, public selfconsciousness, ideology, and religiosity varied in their ability to moderate the relationships of TRA across cultures. Overall, our results suggest culture plays an important role in affecting software piracy, and individual behavior in general