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Happy But Uncivil? Examining When and Why Positive Affect Leads to Incivility

Author

Listed:
  • Remus Ilies

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Cathy Yang Guo

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Sandy Lim

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Kai Chi Yam

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Xinxin Li

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the interactive effects of positive affect and perspective-taking on workplace incivility and family incivility, through moral disengagement. We draw from broaden-and-build and moral disengagement theories to suggest a potential negative consequence of positive affect. Specifically, we argue that positive affect increases incivility toward coworkers and spouses through moral disengagement among employees with low, but not high perspective-taking. Data from two time-lagged field studies and one online experiment provide support for our hypotheses. These findings suggest that the beneficial effects of positive feelings are not universal, and the fostering of positive feelings at work might have unintended negative consequences, namely moral disengagement, and increased incivility at work and at home. Implications for theory and research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Remus Ilies & Cathy Yang Guo & Sandy Lim & Kai Chi Yam & Xinxin Li, 2020. "Happy But Uncivil? Examining When and Why Positive Affect Leads to Incivility," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 165(4), pages 595-614, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:165:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s10551-018-04097-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-04097-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yam, Kai Chi & Reynolds, Scott J. & Hirsh, Jacob B., 2014. "The hungry thief: Physiological deprivation and its effects on unethical behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 125(2), pages 123-133.
    2. Roberta Fida & Marinella Paciello & Carlo Tramontano & Reid Fontaine & Claudio Barbaranelli & Maria Farnese, 2015. "An Integrative Approach to Understanding Counterproductive Work Behavior: The Roles of Stressors, Negative Emotions, and Moral Disengagement," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 130(1), pages 131-144, August.
    3. Celia Moore, 2008. "Moral Disengagement in Processes of Organizational Corruption," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 80(1), pages 129-139, June.
    4. Reynolds, Scott J. & Dang, Carolyn T. & Yam, Kai Chi & Leavitt, Keith, 2014. "The role of moral knowledge in everyday immorality: What does it matter if I know what is right?," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 123(2), pages 124-137.
    5. Marvin Claybourn, 2011. "Relationships Between Moral Disengagement, Work Characteristics and Workplace Harassment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 100(2), pages 283-301, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew Li & Chenwei Liao & Ping Shao & Jason Huang, 2022. "Angry but not Deviant: Employees’ Prior-Day Deviant Behavior Toward the Family Buffers Their Reactions to Abusive Supervisory Behavior," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 177(3), pages 683-697, May.
    2. Zhe Zhang & Juan Wang & Ming Jia, 2022. "Multilevel Examination of How and When Socially Responsible Human Resource Management Improves the Well-Being of Employees," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 176(1), pages 55-71, February.
    3. Moon Joung Kim & Jin Nam Choi, 2023. "Happy but Deviant: How Does Positive Affect Disrupt Social Sustainability?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-13, March.
    4. Ni, Dan & Yang, Mengxi & Luo, Senhan & Chen, Wansi, 2024. "A third-party perspective for examining employee reactions to witnessing coworker incivility towards customers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    5. Gaan, Niharika & Shin, Yuhyung, 2023. "Supervisor incivility and frontline employees’ performance amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A multilevel moderated mediation analysis," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).

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