When in Rome, do as the Romans do: a case study of Odebrecht and the continuum of destructiveness

Abstract This research conducts a case study on Odebrecht, a heavy construction company, to answer the question of how an individual rationalizes crime in a corrupt organization? The study is based on the concepts of a corrupt organization, the continuum of destructiveness, moral disengagement, and rationalization. We analyze four books, artifacts on Odebrecht’s culture and videos on 49 executives that collaborated in the Car Wash corruption probe. The results describe the paths employees undertake in the organization by acquiring its internal set of values, beliefs, and assumptions. These paths lead to the rationalization of corruption. This case study shows that the continuum of destructiveness starts when employees encounter unethical behavior in the organization and that their rationalization mechanism changes with time in the corrupt culture. At any point, executives can quit or blow the whistle; however, with time, it becomes more challenging to exercise either of the options. By applying and refining the continuum, this research provides an understanding of how moral disengagement and rationalization to help employees to progress in the continuum in a corrupt culture.摘要 本研究以重型建筑企业奥德布雷赫特（Odebrecht）为案例研究对象，旨在解答“个体在腐败组织中如何为自身犯罪行为进行合理化”这一核心问题。本研究基于腐败组织、破坏性连续体（continuum of destructiveness）、道德脱离（moral disengagement）以及合理化（rationalization）等概念展开。研究团队分析了四部相关著作、奥德布雷赫特企业文化相关史料，以及49名参与洗车行动（Car Wash）腐败调查的高管的相关视频资料。本研究结果阐释了企业员工在组织中通过内化其内部价值体系、信念与预设所遵循的行为路径，而这些路径最终会导向对腐败行为的合理化。本案例研究表明，破坏性连续体始于员工在组织中遭遇不道德行为之时，且随着他们在腐败文化中停留时间的推移，其合理化机制也会发生变化。在任何时间节点，高管都可以选择离职或揭发检举；然而随着时间推移，做出这两种选择的难度都会不断提升。本研究通过应用并完善破坏性连续体理论，阐明了道德脱离与合理化机制如何助力员工在腐败文化中沿着该连续体逐步沉沦。