Perceptions of ethical behavior among university students in Ecuador

Abstract

This study, conducted at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ambato campus, analyzes the ethical behaviors of university students and the ethical factors that influence their academic development. Its objective was to identify students’ perceptions of their ethical and unethical attitudes in the university community. The methodology was based on the pragmatic paradigm with a quantitative, descriptive approach. To collect data, a survey was administered to 175 students, selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling, enrolled in the Business Administration, Law, Psychology, and Systems Engineering programs in the mission-oriented courses Jesus Christ and the Person of Today, Personal Ethics, and Socio-Environmental Ethics. The results indicated that the behaviors that compromised campus life were divided groups (69.90%), peer influence (55.4 %), and negative leaders (28.5 %). Likewise, appropriate behaviors were respect (64 %) and responsibility (40 %). The need to reinforce the formation of ethical values within the university community was highlighted.