According to Charles McCaghy, what is the key factor influencing deviance in industry?

The key factor influencing deviance in the industry, as proposed by Charles McCaghy, is profit pressure. This concept highlights the external and internal pressures that organizations face to maximize profits. When individuals within an organization feel immense pressure to meet financial targets or to elevate their company’s profitability, they may resort to unethical or deviant behavior to achieve those ends. This idea underscores the notion that the pursuit of profit can sometimes lead individuals to compromise their ethical standards, potentially resulting in fraudulent activities.

In contrast, government regulations can provide guidelines and structures within which companies operate, but they do not inherently drive deviance. Employee training programs aim to promote ethical behavior and compliance with laws, thus serving as a preventative measure rather than a driving force for deviance. Similarly, while market trends can influence business strategies and decisions, they are more reflective of external conditions that companies adapt to rather than a direct catalyst for unethical actions. Profit pressure stands out as a central factor because it directly relates to the motivations behind individual choices in the pursuit of financial success.