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Unethical pro-organizational behavior: how employee ethical ideology and unethical organizational culture contribute

Author

Listed:
  • Linus Jonathan Vem
  • Jun-Hwa Cheah
  • Siew Imm Ng
  • Jo Ann Ho

Abstract

Purpose - The corporate atmosphere in recent times speaks volumes about the crises of confidence and credibility brewing among professionals due to the rising incidences of unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB). The study developed a model to demonstrate the underlying mechanisms through which unethical organizational culture (UOC) influences UPB through the mediating roles of idealism and relativism. Design/methodology/approach - Using a cross-sectional approach, data were collected through questionnaires that were distributed to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the Plateau state in Nigeria. A total of 269 responses were obtained and analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique via Smart-PLS software. Findings - The results revealed that the relationship between UOC and UPB was significant. The indirect predictive role of UOC on UPB was established via relativism but not through idealism. The results indicate that the preponderance of UPB among SMEs is a product of UOC which breeds a relativist ideology that ultimately promotes UPB. Finally, implications and suggestions for further research are discussed. Originality/value - This study contributes to UPB in two unique ways. First, the authors bring to the fore the critical role of UOC in the debate on UPB which has been under-explored. Second, the study also established the mediating role of relativism in the relationship between UOC and UPB.

Suggested Citation

  • Linus Jonathan Vem & Jun-Hwa Cheah & Siew Imm Ng & Jo Ann Ho, 2022. "Unethical pro-organizational behavior: how employee ethical ideology and unethical organizational culture contribute," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 44(4), pages 577-598, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:ijmpps:ijm-11-2021-0635
    DOI: 10.1108/IJM-11-2021-0635
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Deqiang Deng & Chenchen Ye & Fan Wu & Yijing Guo & Hao Li & Changsheng Wang, 2023. "Effect of organizational ethical self-interest climate on unethical accounting behaviour with two different motivations in China: the moderating effect of Confucian ShiZhong Thinking," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Hao Zhou & Yang Ran, 2023. "The nonlinear impact of perceptions of organizational politics on unethical pro-organizational behavior in Chinese culture: Moderating role of Zhongyong," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(4), pages 1544-1566, September.

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