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The role of moral decoupling in the causes and consequences of unethical pro-organizational behavior

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  • Fehr, Ryan
  • Welsh, David
  • Yam, Kai Chi
  • Baer, Michael
  • Wei, Wu
  • Vaulont, Manuel

Abstract

In this paper we explore the antecedents and consequences of employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) through the lens of moral decoupling—a moral reasoning process whereby individuals separate their perceptions of morality from their perceptions of performance. First, we argue that employees increase their engagement in UPBs when they (1) see their supervisors doing the same and (2) believe that their supervisors endorse moral decoupling. Second, we argue that employees’ UPBs are only positively related to supervisors’ evaluations of their job performance when supervisors themselves report that they morally decouple. We test these hypotheses in a field sample of supervisor–employee dyads and two experimental studies. This combination of studies highlights the complex link between ethics and perceptions of performance within organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Fehr, Ryan & Welsh, David & Yam, Kai Chi & Baer, Michael & Wei, Wu & Vaulont, Manuel, 2019. "The role of moral decoupling in the causes and consequences of unethical pro-organizational behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 27-40.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:153:y:2019:i:c:p:27-40
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2019.05.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Tang, Pok Man & Yam, Kai Chi & Koopman, Joel, 2020. "Feeling proud but guilty? Unpacking the paradoxical nature of unethical pro-organizational behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 68-86.
    4. Liu, Chuanjun & LIU, Luyao & Abbas, Syed Zain & Zou, Lemei, 2024. "Independently Measure the Organizational and (Un)ethical Dimensions of Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior using the Process Dissociation Paradigm," OSF Preprints hztuy, Center for Open Science.
    5. Hildreth, John Angus D., 2024. "When loyalty binds: Examining the effectiveness of group versus personal loyalty calls on followers’ compliance with leaders’ unethical requests," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    6. Alqhaiwi, Zaid Oqla, 2024. "A bright side to unethical pro-organizational behavior: Improving work performance by satisfying psychological needs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    7. Analisa Analisa, 2020. "Factors influencing unethical behaviour in banking industry," Journal of Contemporary Accounting, Master in Accounting Program, Faculty of Business & Economics, Universitas Islam Indonesia, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, vol. 2(2), pages 97-107, May.
    8. Changqin Yin & Yajun Zhang & Lu Lu, 2021. "Employee-Oriented CSR and Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior: The Role of Perceived Insider Status and Ethical Climate Rules," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, June.
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    10. Fehr, Ryan & Gupta, Abhinav & Guarana, Cristiano, 2021. "Rewarding morality: How corporate social responsibility shapes top management team compensation votes," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 170-188.

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