Background: Managers and experts have focused on work ethics and ethical management due to the increasing complexity of organizations and rates of unethical, illegal and irresponsible behavior in workplaces. The present study aimed to identify consequences of work ethics in organizations using a meta-analysis approach.
Method: The research was descriptive in terms of objective and had a meta-analysis approach. The statistical population consisted of doctoral and master's theses, and published papers in scientific-research journals on consequences of work ethics in domestic and foreign organizations during the past 15 years (2001-2016). A total of 24 studies with inclusive criteria were included in the meta-analysis using a non-random and purposive sampling method.
Results: Among 24 studies, 9 studies (37.5%) had effect sizes of less than 0.3; 7 ones (29.2%) had effect sizes of 0.3 to 0.5; and also 8 ones (33.3%) had effect sizes of greater than 0.5.
Conclusion: Meta-analysis results and effect size findings according to Cohen's table (1988) indicated that variables namely the work life quality, job satisfaction, commitment, job stress (negative relationship) and competitive advantage had maximum effect sizes. The service quality, organizational alienation (negative relationship), task performance, stress (negative relationship), productivity and integrity had moderate effect sizes; and task identity, deviant work behavior, and hard working had minimum effect sizes.