Ethical issues and attitude in the Turkish banking sector

Abstract

This study concentrates on the ethical issues and conditions prevailing in the Turkish banking environment. A selfadministered mail survey was conducted with 554 top bank managers in Turkey. Scenarios that were developed after a pilot study were factor analyzed. The objective of the study was to identify ethics related organizational, cognitive and affective dimensions that are likely to affect perceptions of bank managers in interpreting the eight factors and the remaining four scenarios. The findings indicate a consensus on ethical sensitivity among the Turkish bank managers. The Banks Association of Turkey has a code of ethics that favorably influences the banks, and the regulatory agency (BRSA) is perceived to enhance the ethical values in the sector. An optimistic view maybe to interpret the ethical banking climate as a desirable after effect of the banking crisis and the regulatory intervention. This development may indicate a deterrence-based shift to a more virtuous Turkish banking sector.business ethics; banking; Turkey