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An Integrative Approach to Understanding Counterproductive Work Behavior: The Roles of Stressors, Negative Emotions, and Moral Disengagement

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  • Roberta Fida
  • Marinella Paciello
  • Carlo Tramontano
  • Reid Fontaine
  • Claudio Barbaranelli
  • Maria Farnese

Abstract

Several scholars have highlighted the importance of examining moral disengagement (MD) in understanding aggression and deviant conduct across different contexts. The present study investigates the role of MD as a specific social-cognitive construct that, in the organizational context, may intervene in the process leading from stressors to counterproductive work behavior (CWB). Assuming the theoretical framework of the stressor-emotion model of CWB, we hypothesized that MD mediates, at least partially, the relation between negative emotions in reaction to perceived stressors and CWB by promoting or justifying aggressive responses to frustrating situations or events. In a sample of 1,147 Italian workers, we tested a structural equations model. The results support our hypothesis: the more workers experienced negative emotions in response to stressors, the more they morally disengaged and, in turn, enacted CWB. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:130:y:2015:i:1:p:131-144
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-014-2209-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Barsky, Adam J. & Islam, Gazi & Zyphur, Michael J. & Johnson, Emily, 2006. "Investigating the Effects of Moral Disengagement and Participation on Unethical Work Behavior," Insper Working Papers wpe_62, Insper Working Paper, Insper Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa.
    2. Celia Moore, 2008. "Moral Disengagement in Processes of Organizational Corruption," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 80(1), pages 129-139, June.
    3. repec:ilo:ilowps:384511 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Adam Barsky, 2011. "Investigating the Effects of Moral Disengagement and Participation on Unethical Work Behavior," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 104(1), pages 59-75, November.
    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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