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The role of moral decoupling in the causes and consequences of unethical pro-organizational behavior

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  • Fehr, Ryan
  • Welsh, David
  • Yam, Kai Chi
  • Baer, Michael
  • Wei, Wu
  • Vaulont, Manuel

Abstract

In this paper we explore the antecedents and consequences of employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) through the lens of moral decoupling—a moral reasoning process whereby individuals separate their perceptions of morality from their perceptions of performance. First, we argue that employees increase their engagement in UPBs when they (1) see their supervisors doing the same and (2) believe that their supervisors endorse moral decoupling. Second, we argue that employees’ UPBs are only positively related to supervisors’ evaluations of their job performance when supervisors themselves report that they morally decouple. We test these hypotheses in a field sample of supervisor–employee dyads and two experimental studies. This combination of studies highlights the complex link between ethics and perceptions of performance within organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Fehr, Ryan & Welsh, David & Yam, Kai Chi & Baer, Michael & Wei, Wu & Vaulont, Manuel, 2019. "The role of moral decoupling in the causes and consequences of unethical pro-organizational behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 27-40.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:153:y:2019:i:c:p:27-40
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2019.05.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Analisa Analisa, 2020. "Factors influencing unethical behaviour in banking industry," Journal of Contemporary Accounting, Master in Accounting Program, Faculty of Business & Economics, Universitas Islam Indonesia, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, vol. 2(2), pages 97-107, May.
    2. Changqin Yin & Yajun Zhang & Lu Lu, 2021. "Employee-Oriented CSR and Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior: The Role of Perceived Insider Status and Ethical Climate Rules," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Carnevale, Joel B. & Carson, Jack E. & Huang, Lei, 2021. "Greedy for thee or greedy for me? A contingency model of positive and negative reactions to leader greed," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 897-905.
    4. Tang, Pok Man & Yam, Kai Chi & Koopman, Joel, 2020. "Feeling proud but guilty? Unpacking the paradoxical nature of unethical pro-organizational behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 68-86.
    5. Junghyun Lee & Se-Hyung Oh & Sanghee Park, 2022. "Effects of Organizational Embeddedness on Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior: Roles of Perceived Status and Ethical Leadership," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 176(1), pages 111-125, February.
    6. Fehr, Ryan & Gupta, Abhinav & Guarana, Cristiano, 2021. "Rewarding morality: How corporate social responsibility shapes top management team compensation votes," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 170-188.

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