When unethical acts are discovered in a firm, in most instances

A) they are caused by unwilling participants.
B) the cause is due to external stakeholders.
C) the perpetrators are caught and prosecuted.
D) there was knowing cooperation or complicity from within the company.
E) the cause is a corrupt board of directors.

In most instances when unethical acts are discovered in a firm, they are found to have been caused by knowing cooperation or complicity from within the company. This is because unethical behaviors are often driven by personal gain or pressure to meet performance targets, which can be fueled by senior management or the company culture. While external stakeholders or a corrupt board of directors could possibly contribute to unethical behavior, they are not typically the primary cause. Prosecution may also not always be pursued, depending on the severity and nature of the unethical act.