Skip to main content
Log in

Accounting students and cheating: A comparative study for Australia, South Africa and the UK

  • Published:
Teaching Business Ethics

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a study of accounting students in three countries who self-reported on their propensity to engage in cheating behaviour when presented with specific rewards, risks and penalties. The professed behaviour examined is indicative of the ethical values held by persons aspiring to the accounting profession and is relevant to the design of their educational experiences. Empirical results show marked differences across the three countries, in the ethical propensities of respondents. In all cases, there is cause for concern, that professed unethical behaviour in the university environment might be replicated in the workplace.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ponemon, L. A.: 1993, ‘Can Ethics be Taught in Accounting?’ Ethics in Accounting, Pergamon Press, New York, pp. 185–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ponemon, L. A. and A. Glazer: 1990, ‘Accounting Education and Ethical Development: The Influence of Liberal Learning on Students and Alumni in Accounting Practice’ Issues in Accounting Education 5(2), 195–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Preble, J. F. and A. Reichel: 1988, ‘Attitudes Towards Business Ethics of Future Managers in the US and Israel’ Journal of Business Ethics 12, 941–949.

    Google Scholar 

  • Randall, D. M. and M. F. Fernandes: 1991, ‘The social Desirability Response Bias in Ethics Research’ Journal of Business Ethics 10, 805–817.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rest, J. R.: 1979, Development in Judging Moral Issues, Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rest, J. R.: 1986, DIT: Manual for the Defining Issues Test, 3rd edn., Center for the Study of Ethical Development, University of Minnesota.

  • Schminke, M. and M. L. Ambrose: 1997, ‘Asymmetric Perceptions of Ethical Frameworks of Men and Women in Business and Non-Business Settings’ Journal of Business Ethics 16, 719–729.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schminke, M.: 1997, ‘Gender Differences in Ethical Frameworks and Evaluation of Others’ Choices in Ethical Dilemmas’ Journal of Business Ethics 16, 55–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Small, M. W.: 1992, ‘Attitudes Towards Business Ethics Held by Western Australian Students: A Comparative Study’ Journal of Business Ethics 11, 745–752.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tom, G. and N. Borin: 1988, ‘Cheating in Academe’ Journal of Education for Business (Jan), 153–157.

  • Trevino, L. K.: 1992, ‘Moral Reasoning and Business Ethics: Implications for Research, Education and Management’ Journal of Business Ethics 11, 445–459.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waugh, R. F., J. R. Godfrey, E. D. Evans and D. Craig: 1995, ‘Measuring Students’ Perceptions about Cheating in Six Countries’ Australian Journal of Psychology 47, 73–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, J, and S. Green: 1991, ‘Principled Moral Reasoning: Is It a Viable Approach to Promote Ethical Integrity?’ Journal of Business Ethics 10, 325–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whipple, T. W. and D. F. Swords: 1992, ‘Business Ethics Judgements: A Cross-Cultural Comparison’ Journal of Business Ethics 11, 671–678.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Haswell, S., Jubb, P. & Wearing, B. Accounting students and cheating: A comparative study for Australia, South Africa and the UK. Teaching Business Ethics 3, 211–239 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009830308143

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009830308143

Navigation