Narcissism, Materialism, and Environmental Ethics in Business Students

Abstract

We investigate the relationships between narcissism, materialism, and environmental ethics in undergraduate business students. Data were collected from business students (n = 405) at an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-accredited business school at a comprehensive state university. Results indicate that narcissism has an indirect effect on business students' environmental ethics. Narcissism was significantly related to materialism, and materialism was significantly related to lower levels of environmental ethics. Considering increasing levels of narcissism among business students, we discuss the potential for future research and potential intervention strategies.

Narcissism normalisation: tourism influences and sustainability implications

“…In an interesting simulation looking at usage of a common resource (a renewable forest in this case), Campbell et al (2005) found that those with higher narcissism scores were more likely to select short-term personal gain even at the expense of long-term depletion. Such inferences suggest that the social and environmental costs of narcissism may be high (Bergman et al, 2013).…”

“…Bergman et al, 2013). Naderi and Strutton (2014, p. 387) conclude with the proposal that environmentalists should view the struggle to persuade, cajole or seduce inherently and deeply self-interested consumers through new marketing lenses which can manipulate narcissists' self-absorbed tendencies in ways that ultimately benefit the environment and society.…”

“…The goal of this self-deception is to be impervious to greatly feared external criticism and to their own rolling sea of doubts (Golomb, 1995). Behind facades such as social media profiles or acquisition of possessions, feelings of worthlessness, lack of confidence, fragility, shame, insecurity and anxiety can lurk (Bergman, Westerman, Bergman, Westerman, & Daly, 2013;Duchon & Burns, 2008;MacDonald, 2014). The belief in one's own extraordinariness will sooner or later abut the world and the result will be disillusionment in the best case scenario or ever greater fake grandeur in the worst (Williams, 2016).…”

Designing a Model for Distant Learning on Environmental Ethics for Children

“…Our behavior is shaped by our thoughts. Any efficient environmental policy needs collectiveness and religious and ethical support (9). Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, as the divine religions respect the nature and the entire universe as the creature of God and mandate believers not to destruct or destroy this God gift.…”

A Relação Entre as Universidades e a Ética Ambiental nas Empresas: Existe Influência do Narcisismo e do Materialismo Sobre a Ética Ambiental

“…Inclusive, a literatura sugere que as empresas tenham gestores mais responsáveis em relação aos impactos que suas decisões podem causar sobre o meio ambiente (ZHU;CHEN, 2015). Neste contexto, o ensino superior pode desempenhar um papel importante no ensino de práticas de negócios sustentáveis (BERGMAN et al, 2014). As instituições de ensino superior têm como tarefa discernir a verdade, transmitir valores e socializar os alunos a contribuir para o progresso social e o avanço do conhecimento, portanto, tem a responsabilidade de transmitir a visão moral e conhecimento técnico necessário para garantir uma alta qualidade de vida para as gerações futuras.…”