Abstract
The tendency to first take action then manage what happens is what psychologists studying motivation call “locomotion” goal pursuit. Another approach is “assessment,” when you pursue goals via careful evaluation. Prior research has shown that locomotion activity like rushing to meet deadlines is associated with unethical decision making, whereas taking time to assess alternatives is associated with more ethical decisions. A new study finds that locomotion at the expense of assessment — as indicated by corporate mission statements — is linked to more unethical decision making at the organizational level, too, measured in the form of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) violations.