University Student Ethics: The Differential Explanatory Effect of Locus of Control‪.‬

ABSTRACT With the ever *growing concern over business ethics, an increasing number of business programs require students to take an ethics course. However, researchers have found that ethics instruction alone does not control ethical orientation of students. Individual personal characteristics play a significant role in determining one's ethical decisions and actions. This study examines whether locus of control has discriminating power when the questionable actions are collaborative in nature. Additionally, the research tests whether locus of control has a differential moderating affect when the subjects are considering their own beliefs and actions and when they are considering the actions of others. The findings indicate that the locus of control variable has a significant influence on ethical behavior, even when the actions are collaborative. Moreover, the research shows that locus of control does not significantly influence student's perceptions regarding questionable behaviors of others.