How Academic Context Shapes Students’ Ethical Behaviour: New Evidence from a Transitional Society

Abstract Background/Purpose An ongoing problem of the ethical transgression of students poses a fundamental threat to the functioning of higher education institutions and translates to their behaviour in the future workplace. The aim of the paper is to examine the relationship between the academic context in higher education institutions in a transitional society and students’ ethical behaviour. Methods Two-source empirical research was conducted using samples of 235 students and 112 faculty and administrative staff from 12 higher education institutions in Croatia. Data on the ethical infrastructure of higher education institutions and the ethical behaviour of students and employees were collected from both groups. Descriptive statistics were used to provide insights into various aspects of the academic context and the characteristics of students’ and employees’ ethical behaviour. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between the academic context and the ethical behaviour of students and employees. Results Perceptions of students and employees differed on a number of aspects of the academic context in their higher education institutions, while the formal ethical framework, individual-level ethics, and witnessing and sanctioning of unethical behaviour are found to be the factors that play a role in shaping students’ ethical behaviour. Students enrolled in natural sciences-related programmes are less susceptible to the effects of academic context than those studying programmes in other scientific fields. Conclusion The current state of academic context at higher education institutions in a typical transitional society leaves considerable room for improvement in developing ethical infrastructure and promoting a culture of academic integrity and ethical values. Translating the ‘words’ into ‘actions’ at both organisational and individual levels is a primary goal for these institutions to establish an effective ethical framework and culture, and to be perceived as ethical by their stakeholders.