Why do some companies gain moral legitimacy while others face public backlash—despite delivering the same positive outcomes? The study reveals that it’s not just what organizations achieve that matters, but why they do it. When outcomes are driven by prosocial motives, organizations are perceived as more legitimate; when self-interest is suspected, even good results lose their moral shine. These findings have striking implications for managers, policymakers, and anyone interested in the subtle psychology of legitimacy judgments.
Reference
Schreck, P., Kruse, N., & Conti, G. (2025). The Role of Organizational Motives in the Formation of Moral Legitimacy Judgments. Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility, 0, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/BEER.12801