An Exploration of Corporate Social Responsibility and Machiavellianism in Future Health Care Professionals

The purpose of this study was to explore the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) orientations of future healthcare professionals and their relative viewpoint of CSR in terms of Socioeconomic or Classical. The study also sought to determine the nature and the strength of relationships between CSR orientations and Machiavellian tendencies. To conduct the study, 162 future health care professionals enrolled in varying healthcare- related programs at an accredited university were surveyed. Findings from the study indicated a linear relationship between an individual's CSR orientation, CSR viewpoint, and innate Machiavellian levels. The higher an individual's Machiavellian score, the more likely he or she was to fall into a CSR orientation, which is economically focused as opposed to society focused. Furthermore, the study revealed that this particular group of future healthcare professionals most often fell within the Legal and Ethical CSR orientations, and most were considered to be Low Machiavellians. Although the study indicates that this specific group of individuals tends to need social norms or legal regulations to help guide them with their CSR-related decisions, they seemingly possess a high moral compass and largely consider the good of society before profit maximization. However, these characteristics should be further molded and cultivated jointly by current healthcare leaders and academicians. Curriculum modifications and employee training programs are highly recommended. Included within should be an introspective understanding of both sides of the healthcare continuum, the patient care aspects, and the financial obligations of the organization.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Workforce Education and Development

Year dc:date.available

2010

Author dc:creator

• Collins, Sandra K.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Waugh, Keith

• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Healthcare
• Machiavellianism

Repository record dc:identifier

https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/133

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opensiuc.lib.siu.edu:dissertations-1133