MORAL MATURATION AND MORAL CONATION: A CAPACITY APPROACH TO EXPLAINING MORAL THOUGHT AND ACTION

Authors

Sean Timothy Hannah, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Bruce J. Avolio, University of WashingtonFollow
Douglas R. May, University of KansasFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2011

Citation

Academy of Management Review Vol. 36, No. 4, 663-685.

Comments

Copyright of the Academy of Management.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/amr.2010.0128

Abstract

We set out to address a gap in the management literature by proposing a framework specifying the component capacities organizational actors require to think and act morally. We examine how moral maturation (i.e., moral identity, complexity, and metacognitive ability) and moral conation (i.e., moral courage, efficacy, and owner- ship) enhance an individual's moral cognition and propensity to take ethical action. We offer propositions to guide future research and discuss the implications of the proposed model for management theory and