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To Help My Supervisor: Identification, Moral Identity, and Unethical Pro-supervisor Behavior

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  • Hana Huang Johnson

    (University of Idaho)

  • Elizabeth E. Umphress

    (University of Washington)

Abstract

Under some circumstances, individuals are willing to engage in unethical behaviors that benefit another entity. In this research we advance the unethical pro-organizational behavior construct by showing that individuals also have the potential to behave unethically to benefit their supervisors. Previous research has not examined if employees engage in unethical acts to benefit an entity that is separate from oneself and if they will conduct these acts to benefit a supervisor. Our research helps to address these gaps. We also demonstrate that unethical behavior to benefit a supervisor, what we term unethical pro-supervisor behavior, is more likely to occur if individuals are more (versus less) identified with their organization or supervisor. That is, feeling a sense of oneness with one’s organization or supervisor can result in employees engaging in unethical behavior to help their supervisor. Further, this positive relationship is weakened if the employee possesses higher levels of moral identity. We test our hypotheses with a two-part laboratory study, a field study, and a time-lagged field study. Theoretical and practical implications of this work are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Hana Huang Johnson & Elizabeth E. Umphress, 2019. "To Help My Supervisor: Identification, Moral Identity, and Unethical Pro-supervisor Behavior," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(2), pages 519-534, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:159:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-018-3836-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-3836-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Tomasz Gigol, 2020. "Influence of Authentic Leadership on Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior: The Intermediate Role of Work Engagement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-14, February.
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    7. Han Li & Shimin Zhang & Shenjiang Mo & Alexander Newman, 2024. "Relative Leader-Member Exchange and Unethical Pro-leader Behavior: The Role of Envy and Distributive Justice Climate," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 192(1), pages 99-111, June.
    8. Xiaoyu Wang & Xiaotong (Janey) Zheng & Shuming Zhao, 2022. "Repaying the Debt: An Examination of the Relationship between Perceived Organizational Support and Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior by Low Performers," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 179(3), pages 697-709, September.
    9. Ken Cheng & Qianlin Zhu & Yinghui Lin, 2022. "Family-Supportive Supervisor Behavior, Felt Obligation, and Unethical Pro-family Behavior: The Moderating Role of Positive Reciprocity Beliefs," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 177(2), pages 261-273, May.
    10. Wang, Juehui & Chieh Chen, Chih & Shen, Tao & Fan, Fan & Fosh, Patricia & Guo, Yuxuan, 2024. "Family matters! Antecedents and boundary conditions of unethical pro-family behaviors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
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