THE EFFECT OF ETHICAL SIGNALS ON RECRUITMENT ...

moral development as potential moderators of the ethical signals/recruitment outcomes
relationship.
Self-Importance of Moral Identity
The first moderator in the model is self-importance of moral identity (SIMI). As
defined by Aquino and Reed (2002), moral identity is a “self-conception organized
around a set of moral traits” (p. 1424). Self-importance of moral identity is how much
one values the moral ideal; in other words, being moral may be central in one person’s
life, but peripheral in another’s (Aquino & Reed, 2002). Aquino and Reed separate
moral identity into two factors: internalization and symbolization. Internalization is “the
degree to which the moral traits are central to the self-concept,” while symbolization is
“the degree to which the traits are reflected in the respondent’s actions in the world” (p.
1427). Moral identity has been found to be related to moral cognition and moral
behaviors (Aquino & Reed, 2002; Reynolds & Ceranic, 2007).
Based on social identity theory, moral identity is one of many ways that
individuals can define themselves (Aquino & Reed, 2002). Social identity theory (SIT)
has its roots in social psychology (Tajfel & Turner, 1979, 1986). Following social
identity theory, individuals will categorize themselves and others into groups by gender,
age, race, religion, and organizational membership, among others (Ashforth & Mael,
1989; Tajfel & Turner, 1986). This categorization allows individuals to have a means by
which to define those around them, and it allows them to define themselves in the
context of the social environment (Ashforth & Mael, 1989). These identities can affect
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