Preliminary validation of a model for describing the ethical climate of a business community

This paper describes the development of a model for representing the ethical climate of a business community. It describes the steps followed in identifying the model’s components and in validating the model’s structure. Expert panel validation methodologies were used to garner qualitative and quantitative data about the model. They have yielded support for the components of an initial, literature-based model, ideas for expanding that model and operationalising its components, and statistical validation of the expanded model. This is part of a larger research project intended to result in a validated instrument for measuring and comparing ethical climates of different business communities.