Human Frailties ― Wrong Choices on the Drive to Success

Every day we hear stories about the consequences of human frailties for individuals, their families and friends, and their organizations. Some of these stories are about alcohol and drug addiction and other harmful lifestyle choices, but human frailty also leads to all kinds of unethical and illegal behaviour. Individuals are convicted of bribery and corruption, price fixing, theft and fraud, sexual harassment and abuse of authority. Politicians fiddle their expenses, sports people cheat and fix matches and school and university students and teachers cheat to enhance exam results. Studies have shown that business students cheat more than others and efforts to teach ethical behaviour in business schools make little difference. The media who bring us stories of others' frailties themselves engage in unethical and illegal conduct in pursuit of an edge over their rivals. The contributions to this latest addition to Gower's Psychological and Behavioural Aspects of Risk Series place the spotlight on individuals, their behavioural choices and the consequences that follow for theirs and others' lives and careers. The conclusion is that people do have choices and options and that, whilst there are no easy or quick fixes in addressing self-limiting behaviours, successful avoidance of the worst outcomes can been achieved. This book provides guidance on the practical steps that need to be taken in order to gain a sense of proportion of what is important and of how we are doing, if we are to address our frailties and stop making unethical choices.

Professor Ronald J. Burke was Founding Editor of the Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences and has served on a number of editorial boards. He was Director of the PhD Program at Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto, and Associate Dean for Research and is now Professor Emeritus of Organizational Behavior. He has published over 500 journal articles and edited or co-edited many books. Professor Suzy Fox is on the faculty of the Institute of Human Resources and Employment Relations at the Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University, Chicago. Cary L. Cooper, CBE, is Distinguished Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health, Lancaster University Management School, England. He is a prolific author and contributor to national media. He is Founding Editor of the Journal of Organizational Behavior, President, Past President or Chair of a number of academies of management, institutes and national associations.