Muel Kaptein

Muel Kaptein is a Full Professor of Business Ethics and Integrity Management at the Department of Business-Society Management, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). He is actively engaged in both academic and professional spheres, contributing to research, teaching, and organizational consulting.

His research centers on defining, measuring, and managing organizational ethics. Key areas include business ethics, integrity management, corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethical culture, stakeholder theory, and compliance systems. His work bridges theoretical rigor with practical application, influencing both academic discourse and real-world policy.

Kaptein has authored eight books and published over 50 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals such as Journal of Management Studies, Organization Studies, and Academy of Management Review. Recent publications explore employee fantasies about unethical behavior, team-level ethical culture, the 'NGO halo' effect, and theoretical foundations of corporate responsibility. These works demonstrate a consistent focus on moral cognition, organizational integrity, and systemic ethical design.

• Dutch National Compliance Award 2019
• Dutch Best Master Thesis Award 1992

Kaptein has supervised 18 academic works and was section editor of Journal of Business Ethics from 2002 to 2019, reflecting his leadership in the field. He teaches courses in CSR, leadership, business ethics, and consultancy. Additionally, he serves as an equity partner at KPMG, where he advises organizations on developing, protecting, and assessing ethics, integrity, and compliance programs—demonstrating a unique integration of academic scholarship and professional practice.

His research collaborations span multiple institutions and disciplines, with strong external engagement evident through media coverage and public outreach, including development of the 'Dilemma Game App' that won a European award. His fingerprint analysis highlights dominant topics such as ethics, business ethics, moral responsibility, and organizational culture.