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On Ethically Solvent Leaders: The Roles of Pride and Moral Identity in Predicting Leader Ethical Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Stacey Sanders

    (University of Groningen)

  • Barbara Wisse

    (University of Groningen
    Durham University)

  • Nico W. Yperen

    (University of Groningen)

  • Diana Rus

    (Creative Peas)

Abstract

The popular media has repeatedly pointed to pride as one of the key factors motivating leaders to behave unethically. However, given the devastating consequences that leader unethical behavior may have, a more scientific account of the role of pride is warranted. The present study differentiates between authentic and hubristic pride and assesses its impact on leader ethical behavior, while taking into consideration the extent to which leaders find it important to their self-concept to be a moral person. In two experiments we found that with higher levels of moral identity, authentically proud leaders are more likely to engage in ethical behavior than hubristically proud leaders, and that this effect is mediated by leaders’ motivation to act selflessly. A field survey among organizational leaders corroborated that moral identity may bring the positive effect of authentic pride and the negative effect of hubristic pride on leader ethical behavior to the forefront.

Suggested Citation

  • Stacey Sanders & Barbara Wisse & Nico W. Yperen & Diana Rus, 2018. "On Ethically Solvent Leaders: The Roles of Pride and Moral Identity in Predicting Leader Ethical Behavior," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 150(3), pages 631-645, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:150:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-016-3180-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-016-3180-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Salvador, Rommel & Folger, Robert G., 2009. "Business Ethics and the Brain: Rommel Salvador and Robert G. Folger," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(1), pages 1-31, January.
    2. Shao, Ruodan & Aquino, Karl & Freeman, Dan, 2008. "Beyond Moral Reasoning: A Review of Moral Identity Research and Its Implications for Business Ethics," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 18(4), pages 513-540, October.
    3. Ackert, Lucy F. & Church, Bryan K. & Kuang, Xi (Jason) & Qi, Li, 2011. "Lying: An Experimental Investigation of the Role of Situational Factors," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(4), pages 605-632, October.
    4. repec:cup:judgdm:v:3:y:2008:i::p:18-27 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ye Li & Yajun Zhang & Lu Lu & Junwei Zhang & Xiuli Sun, 2023. "Laughters Nurturing Tears for Leaders and Organizations: The Implications of Leader Humor for Leader Workplace Deviance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(3), pages 603-621, December.
    3. Xiaofeng Xu & Miaomiao Li & Ho Kwong Kwan & Xiaomeng Zhang, 2024. "The antecedents of moral identity: A meta-analytic review," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 1697-1728, September.
    4. Yue Yuan & Qi Zhang & Mengxi Yang, 2023. "Such a high cost: the positive effect of leader humor on employee incivility via psychological safety," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(2), pages 529-548, April.
    5. Zhen Wang & Lu Xing & Haoying Xu & Sean T. Hannah, 2021. "Not All Followers Socially Learn from Ethical Leaders: The Roles of Followers’ Moral Identity and Leader Identification in the Ethical Leadership Process," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 170(3), pages 449-469, May.
    6. Mario Daniele Amore & Orsola Garofalo & Alice Guerra, 2023. "How Leaders Influence (un)Ethical Behaviors Within Organizations: A Laboratory Experiment on Reporting Choices," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(2), pages 495-510, March.
    7. Nicholas Burton & Mai Chi Vu, 2021. "Moral Identity and the Quaker tradition: Moral Dissonance Negotiation in the WorkPlace," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 174(1), pages 127-141, November.
    8. Catherine S. Daus & Stephen R. Baumgartner, 2020. "Ain’t Too Proud to Beg! Effects of Leader’s Use of Pride on Groups," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-19, September.
    9. Kristen Bell DeTienne & Carol Frogley Ellertson & Marc-Charles Ingerson & William R. Dudley, 2021. "Moral Development in Business Ethics: An Examination and Critique," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 170(3), pages 429-448, May.
    10. Wei Li & Si Chen & Zhihao Wang & Guomin Li & Xiaoguang Liu, 2022. "The Influence of Message Framing on Residents’ Waste Separation Willingness—The Mediating Role of Moral Identity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-18, May.
    11. Shuwen Li & Ruiqian Jia & Juergen H. Seufert & Jinlian Luo & Rui Sun, 2023. "You may not reap what you sow: How and when ethical leadership promotes subordinates’ online helping behavior," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(4), pages 1683-1702, December.
    12. Kutaula, Smirti & Gillani, Alvina & Leonidou, Leonidas C. & Christodoulides, Paul, 2022. "Integrating fair trade with circular economy: Personality traits, consumer engagement, and ethically-minded behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 1087-1102.

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