Examining the Use of Hofstede’s Uncertainty Avoidance Construct as a Definition or Brief Comparison in Ethics Research

Abstract

This research focuses on studies in the Journal of Business Ethics (hereafter JoBE) that used Hofstede’s uncertainty avoidance construct. The JoBE is the foremost outlet for ethics research for most academic disciplines. We included research from the International Journal of Value Based Management (hereafter IJoVBM) and Teaching Business Ethics (hereafter TBE), which merged with the JoBE in 2004. There were 84 studies that used Hofstede’s uncertainty avoidance construct as a definition or brief comparison. Understanding how uncertainty avoidance has already been used could provide opportunities for future research to further increase our understanding of differences in international behavior and/or perceptions.