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How Leader Alignment of Words and Deeds Affects Followers: A Meta-analysis of Behavioral Integrity Research

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  • Tony Simons
  • Hannes Leroy
  • Veroniek Collewaert
  • Stijn Masschelein

Abstract

Substantial research examines the follower consequences of leader (mis)alignment of words and deeds, but no research has quantitatively reviewed these effects. This study examines extant research on behavioral integrity (BI) and contrasts it with two other constructs that focus on (mis)alignment: moral integrity and psychological contract breaches. We compare effect sizes between the three constructs, and find that BI has stronger effects on trust, in-role task performance and citizenship behavior (OCB) than moral integrity and stronger effects on commitment and OCB than psychological contract breach. These stronger attitudinal consequences run counter to our initial expectations, but they provide evidence of important conceptual distinctions and mechanisms that we articulate. BI theory suggests that BI’s greater performance impact is due to the notion that BI affects communication clarity in addition to attitudes. Results of meta-analytic structural equation modeling are consistent with this proposed dual path of BI’s impact. We highlight avenues for future research on BI and discuss how our findings inform the broader research on leader (mis)alignment. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Tony Simons & Hannes Leroy & Veroniek Collewaert & Stijn Masschelein, 2015. "How Leader Alignment of Words and Deeds Affects Followers: A Meta-analysis of Behavioral Integrity Research," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 132(4), pages 831-844, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:132:y:2015:i:4:p:831-844
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-014-2332-3
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    9. Byung-Jik Kim & Min-Jik Kim & Tae-Hyun Kim, 2021. "“The Power of Ethical Leadership”: The Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility on Creativity, the Mediating Function of Psychological Safety, and the Moderating Role of Ethical Leadership," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-16, March.
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    12. Kennedy, Jessica A. & Schweitzer, Maurice E., 2018. "Building trust by tearing others down: When accusing others of unethical behavior engenders trust," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 111-128.
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    15. Gretchen R. Vogelgesang & Craig Crossley & Tony Simons & Bruce J. Avolio, 2021. "Behavioral Integrity: Examining the Effects of Trust Velocity and Psychological Contract Breach," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 172(1), pages 175-190, August.
    16. Christian Schnee, 2017. "Understanding a Leader’s Behaviour: Revisiting the Role of Reputation Management in Leadership Research," Corporate Reputation Review, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 20(1), pages 27-39, February.
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    18. Yongjun Choi & David J. Yoon & Dongkyu Kim, 2020. "Leader Behavioral Integrity and Employee In-Role Performance: The Roles of Coworker Support and Job Autonomy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-14, June.
    19. Ziya Ete & Olga Epitropaki & Qin Zhou & Les Graham, 2022. "Leader and Organizational Behavioral Integrity and Follower Behavioral Outcomes: The Role of Identification Processes," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 176(4), pages 741-760, April.

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