Behavioral economics shows that people act more morally than the homo economicus model suggests. People are more trustworthy and behave more fairly than many people think. Nevertheless, morality regularly comes into conflict with economic interests, but these conflicts can often be resolved with the help of business ethics.
About the topic
Entrepreneurial profit-seeking and the legitimate interests of society are not always in harmony. However, the conflicts can often be overcome in a constructive way, for example by the state intervening in a regulatory manner (regulatory ethics), by companies assuming responsibility (business ethics) and investing in trust. Or by individuals behaving more morally (individual morality). Typical topics of business ethics are: In the social market economy, the state sets the framework, e.g., for consumer protection, supply chains, and environmental protection; companies maintain their own compliance and corporate social responsibility departments. Individuals volunteer in a variety of ways in society - keyword civic engagement and strengthen social capital. Together, these ways ensure greater prosperity, growth and life satisfaction. Behavioral economics has shown in experiments, among other things, that immoral behavior such as corruption, moonlighting and white-collar crime is a form of corruption.
Dominik Enste / Jennifer Potthoff IW-Report No. 26 1. May 2023
Behavioral Economics in Companies: Nudging green behavior
Climate change, the finite nature of natural resources, a growing world population and the quest for prosperity challenge society and policy to act responsibly and sustainably. The debate on climate change and the upcoming energy transition was recently intensified by the Ukrainian war.
Dominik Enste / Julia Hensen / Jennifer Potthoff IW-Policy Paper No. 2 20. February 2023
Does Nudging Help in the crisis?: Behavioral economic measures for freedom-preserving energy conservation
In view of the impending gas shortage, private households are called upon to reduce their gas and energy consumption. The moral appeals of those in power harbor the danger that people will react with reactance instead of the desired change in behavior.
Dominik Enste / Julia Hensen / Jennifer Potthoff IW
XI. Scientific Conference: The „Great Transformation”: New Rules of the Game?
Already before the Ukrainian War, Transformation seems to be everywhere. Almost 50 times it has been mentioned in the New „Ampel” Coalition Treaty of November 2021.
Dominik H. Enste / Jennifer Potthoff IW-Analyse No. 146 30. December 2021
Behavioral Economics and Climate Protection: Better regulation and green nudges for more sustainability
Protecting the climate is one of the greatest challenges our society is currently facing. In view of the heated political and social discussions surrounding this topic, the question naturally arises as to whether behavioral-economic insights can be used to ...
Behavioral Economics in Companies:
Nudging green behavior
Dominik Enste / Jennifer Potthoff
Climate change, the finite nature of natural resources, a growing world population and the quest for prosperity challenge society and policy to act responsibly and sustainably. The debate on climate change and the upcoming energy transition was recently intensified by the Ukrainian war.
Does Nudging Help in the crisis?:
Behavioral economic measures for freedom-preserving energy conservation
Dominik Enste / Julia Hensen / Jennifer Potthoff
In view of the impending gas shortage, private households are called upon to reduce their gas and energy consumption. The moral appeals of those in power harbor the danger that people will react with reactance instead of the desired change in behavior.
Dominik Enste / Julia Hensen / Jennifer Potthoff
IW
XI. Scientific Conference:
The „Great Transformation”: New Rules of the Game?
Already before the Ukrainian War, Transformation seems to be everywhere. Almost 50 times it has been mentioned in the New „Ampel” Coalition Treaty of November 2021.
Behavioral Economics and Climate Protection:
Better regulation and green nudges for more sustainability
Dominik H. Enste / Jennifer Potthoff
Protecting the climate is one of the greatest challenges our society is currently facing. In view of the heated political and social discussions surrounding this topic, the question naturally arises as to whether behavioral-economic insights can be used to sensitize German society to the dangers of climate change and to motivate it towards more sustainability.
In the last two decades, a debate has unfolded around the relationship between growth and well-being that has produced numerous new concepts, indicators and sets of targets. This increasingly includes an emphasis on sustainability concepts.
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German Economic Institute (IW) 
