The Moral Compass of Auto CEOs During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on how top CEOs in the automotive industry handle moral decisions. Researchers looked at letters from the CEOs of the top 15 automotive companies before and after the pandemic started. They used a method called Weber’s to figure out how these CEOs think about morals. The results weren't great: most CEOs showed a kind of "moral paralysis. " They did some good things, like giving money to charity, but these were usually quick fixes, not long-term changes.

CEOs who thought about morals the least were also the least likely to talk about their good deeds. This study shows that looking at CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) through the lens of moral reasoning is important. It also reminds everyone—scientists, companies, and the public—to think about how top leaders in big corporations make moral decisions.

Actions