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When Moral Tension Begets Cognitive Dissonance: An Investigation of Responses to Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior and the Contingent Effect of Construal Level

Author

Listed:
  • Na Yang

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Congcong Lin

    (Shandong University)

  • Zhenyu Liao

    (Northeastern University)

  • Mei Xue

    (Renmin University of China)

Abstract

Research on unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) has predominantly focused on its antecedents, while overlooking how engaging in such behavior might affect employees’ psychological experience and their downstream work behaviors. Integrating cognitive dissonance theory with the moral identity literature, we argue that engaging in UPB restricts moral identity internalization as a result of attempts to alleviate the cognitive dissonance about moral self-regard, which in turn translates into decreased organizational citizenship behavior and increased counterproductive workplace behavior. Moreover, employees’ construal level weakens these indirect effects by alleviating the negative effect of engaging in UPB on moral identity internalization. The results from one experimental study and one multi-wave, multisource field study provide support for these predictions. Our research extends knowledge on the negative consequences of UPB for actors and organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Na Yang & Congcong Lin & Zhenyu Liao & Mei Xue, 2022. "When Moral Tension Begets Cognitive Dissonance: An Investigation of Responses to Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior and the Contingent Effect of Construal Level," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(1), pages 339-353, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:180:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-021-04866-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-021-04866-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wenli Jiang & Yuping Xie, 2024. "How Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior Links to Actors’ and Observers’ Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(3), pages 21582440241, August.
    2. Zaid Oqla Alqhaiwi & Tamer Koburtay & Jawad Syed, 2024. "The Interplay Between Islamic Work Ethic, Unethical Pro Behaviors, and Moral Identity Internalization: The Moderating Role of Religiosity," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 193(2), pages 393-408, August.
    3. Yahua Cai & Haoding Wang & Sebastian C. Schuh & Jinsong Li & Weili Zheng, 2024. "Toward Understanding Employees 'Responses to Leaders' Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior: An Outcome Favorability Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 192(1), pages 79-95, June.
    4. 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).

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