Utilising computer-based scenarios to explore idealism and relativism influences on perceptions of Ethics and Social Responsibilities and ethical decision making

This study explores idealism and relativism differences of technical–/engineering–based students along with their perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the managerial and ethical decision–making level, utilising computer–related scenarios. Of the 949 responses, results indicate that perceptions of ESR are positively related to the idealism and the relativism of students in technical–/engineering–based fields. Ethical decision–making differs significantly, based on the idealism and the relativism perceptions of ESR. It appears that students in technical–/engineering–based fields would benefit from an ethics course in their curriculum. Implications and the potential for future studies are discussed.