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Noblesse oblige emerges (with time): Power enhances intergenerational beneficence

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  • Tost, Leigh Plunkett
  • Wade-Benzoni, Kimberly A.
  • Johnson, Hana Huang

Abstract

Across four experiments, we examine how the experience of power affects intergenerational decision-making. We argue, and empirically demonstrate, that the experience of power enhances intergenerational beneficence. This effect emerges because the experience of power in intergenerational dilemmas prompts a sense of social responsibility among powerholders. In particular, the experience of power in intergenerational contexts leads people to feel an obligation to look out for the long-term interests of others, which in turn enhances generosity to future others. Thus, the positive effect of power on intergenerational beneficence is mediated by a sense of responsibility to look after others’ long-term interests.

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  • Tost, Leigh Plunkett & Wade-Benzoni, Kimberly A. & Johnson, Hana Huang, 2015. "Noblesse oblige emerges (with time): Power enhances intergenerational beneficence," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 61-73.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:128:y:2015:i:c:p:61-73
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2015.03.003
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    Cited by:

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    2. McCarter, Matthew W. & Wade-Benzoni, Kimberly A. & Kamal, Darcy K. Fudge & Bang, H. Min & Hyde, Steven J. & Maredia, Reshma, 2020. "Models of intragroup conflict in management: A literature review," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 925-946.
    3. Julia Bogacki & Peter Letmathe, 2021. "Representatives of future generations as promoters of sustainability in corporate decision processes," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 237-251, January.
    4. Hafenbrack, Andrew C. & Cameron, Lindsey D. & Spreitzer, Gretchen M. & Zhang, Chen & Noval, Laura J. & Shaffakat, Samah, 2020. "Helping People by Being in the Present: Mindfulness Increases Prosocial Behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 21-38.
    5. Ong, Madeline & Mayer, David M. & Tost, Leigh P. & Wellman, Ned, 2018. "When corporate social responsibility motivates employee citizenship behavior: The sensitizing role of task significance," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 44-59.
    6. Hoeft, Leonard & Mill, Wladislaw, 2024. "Abuse of power," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 305-324.
    7. Valentina Bosetti & Francis Dennig & Ning Liu & Massimo Tavoni & Elke U. Weber, 2022. "Forward-Looking Belief Elicitation Enhances Intergenerational Beneficence," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 81(4), pages 743-761, April.
    8. Foulk, Trevor A. & Venkataramani, Vijaya & Cao, Rujiao & Krishnan, Satish, 2022. "Thinking outside the box helps build social connections: The role of creative mindsets in reducing daily rudeness," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    9. Ivan Montiel & Peter Jack Gallo & Raquel Antolin-Lopez, 2020. "What on Earth Should Managers Learn About Corporate Sustainability? A Threshold Concept Approach," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 162(4), pages 857-880, April.
    10. Tost, Leigh Plunkett & Johnson, Hana Huang, 2019. "The prosocial side of power: How structural power over subordinates can promote social responsibility," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 25-46.
    11. Williams, Melissa J. & Lopiano, Gabrielle & Heller, Daniel, 2022. "When the boss steps up: Workplace power, task responsibility, and engagement with unpleasant tasks," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    12. Yu, Andrew & Hays, Nicholas A. & Zhao, Emma Y., 2019. "Development of a bipartite measure of social hierarchy: The perceived power and perceived status scales," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 84-104.
    13. Li Yan & Hean Tat Keh & Xiaoyu Wang, 2021. "Powering Sustainable Consumption: The Roles of Green Consumption Values and Power Distance Belief," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 169(3), pages 499-516, March.

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