ABSTRACT

Research question

This study aims to investigate the role of moral disengagement in individuals’ decisions to consent to match-fixing, either alone or in concert with money, other inducements, and threats or pressure. Drawing on the moral (dis)comfort component of an individual's rational-choice cost–benefit assessment, we examine the potential of moral disengagement as an explanatory mechanism.

Research methods

Data were obtained through an online questionnaire. The analysis was based on an international sample of 383 current and former athletes, coaches, referees, and board members who have reported having been approached for match-fixing in the past. The empirical evaluation employed descriptive statistics and (multiple) binary logistic regression models, which were performed using SPSS 24 software.

Results and Findings

Results indicate that a higher propensity to morally disengage can be associated with increased odds of consenting to match-fixing. These results suggest that individuals approached with a match-fixing proposal tend to employ self-defensive mechanisms to rationalise their decision to engage in match-fixing. Furthermore, the use of threats or pressure was found to have a significant impact on the decision to participate in match-fixing, both alone and in concert with (monetary) inducements and moral disengagement. While a positive significant interaction effect was observed between moral disengagement and the offer of (monetary) inducements, no significant interaction effect was noted between moral disengagement and threats or pressure.

Implications

This study offers novel individual-level explanations for match-fixing. Enriching the dominant rational-choice paradigm, this study emphasises the importance of detecting and counteracting moral disengagement mechanisms in match-fixing prevention initiatives.

中文翻译：

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了解个人如何参与比赛造假：道德脱离的作用

摘要

研究问题

本研究旨在调查道德脱离在个人同意比赛造假的决定中的作用，无论是单独还是与金钱、其他诱因、威胁或压力结合在一起。利用个人理性选择成本效益评估中的道德（不）舒适部分，我们研究了道德脱离作为解释机制的潜力。

研究方法

数据是通过在线调查问卷获得的。该分析基于 383 名现任和前任运动员、教练、裁判和董事会成员的国际样本，他们报告称过去曾被人接触过进行比赛造假。实证评估采用描述性统计和（多个）二元逻辑回归模型，并使用 SPSS 24 软件进行。

结果和发现

结果表明，较高的道德脱离倾向可能与同意比赛造假的可能性增加有关。这些结果表明，接受比赛造假提议的个人倾向于采用自卫机制来合理化他们参与比赛造假的决定。此外，研究发现，无论是单独使用威胁或压力，还是与（金钱）诱因和道德脱离相结合，使用威胁或压力都会对参与比赛造假的决定产生重大影响。虽然在道德脱离和提供（金钱）诱因之间观察到显着的正交互作用，但在道德脱离和威胁或压力之间没有观察到显着的交互作用。

影响

这项研究为比赛造假提供了新颖的个人层面的解释。这项研究丰富了占主导地位的理性选择范式，强调了在比赛预防举措中发现和抵消道德脱离机制的重要性。