The influence of digital information and technological advancement on firms’ ethical practices

While technology has the potential to enhance ethical practices, its impact is complex and poorly understood. This paper examines corporate ethical standards in digital tech–oriented firms to explore this dynamic. Using data from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys spanning 2006 through 2023, we find that technology and digitalization positively influence the adoption of environmental and social standards. However, digital tech–oriented firms exhibit lower governance standards. These results are shaped by country culture, the burden of business regulation, and the perception of the courts as obstacles to business activity. Our findings highlight the significance of broader societal influences and the quality of the business environment in determining how digital-oriented technological firms adopt ethical standards.