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Servant leadership and employee socially responsible behavior: The role of employee psychological entitlement

Author

Listed:
  • Nishat Babu

    (Loughborough University)

  • Kenneth de Roeck

    (SKEMA Business School - SKEMA Business School [Lille])

  • Nicolas Raineri

    (ICN Business School, CEREFIGE - Centre Européen de Recherche en Economie Financière et Gestion des Entreprises - UL - Université de Lorraine)

Abstract

This research investigates the interactive effect of servant leadership and employee psychological entitlement on socially responsible behavior (SRB) among employees. Specifically, we build on social learning theory to hypothesize that employee psychological entitlement, an individual trait reflecting an excessive self-oriented focus, undermines the positive effects of servant leadership on employee prosocial motivation, and in turn, SRB. Results from a multi-source field study (N = 240) support our predictions, and highlight the detrimental role of employee psychological entitlement on the ability of organizational leaders to effectively promote the creation of social good through employee behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Nishat Babu & Kenneth de Roeck & Nicolas Raineri, 2025. "Servant leadership and employee socially responsible behavior: The role of employee psychological entitlement," Post-Print hal-05321037, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05321037
    DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2025.113378
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05321037v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nicolas Raineri & Pascal Paillé, 2016. "Linking Corporate Policy and Supervisory Support with Environmental Citizenship Behaviors: The Role of Employee Environmental Beliefs and Commitment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 137(1), pages 129-148, August.
    2. Babu, Nishat & De Roeck, Kenneth & Raineri, Nicolas, 2020. "Hypocritical organizations: Implications for employee social responsibility," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 376-384.
    3. Nicolas Raineri & Pascal Paillé, 2016. "Linking Corporate Policy and Supervisory Support with Environmental Citizenship Behaviors: The Role of Employee Environmental Beliefs and Commitment," Post-Print hal-03795971, HAL.
    4. Kenneth De Roeck & Omer Farooq, 2018. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Leadership: Investigating Their Interactive Effect on Employees’ Socially Responsible Behaviors," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 151(4), pages 923-939, September.
    5. Jean-Pascal Gond & Assâad El Akremi & Valérie Swaen & Nishat Babu, 2017. "The psychological microfoundations of corporate social responsibility: A person-centric systematic review," Post-Print halshs-01698534, HAL.
    6. Denise Parris & Jon Peachey, 2013. "A Systematic Literature Review of Servant Leadership Theory in Organizational Contexts," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 113(3), pages 377-393, March.
    7. Rodell, Jessica B. & Booth, Jonathan E. & Lynch, John W. & Zipay, Kate P., 2017. "Corporate volunteering climate: mobilizing employee passion for societal causes and inspiring future charitable action," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 69524, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    8. Nishat Babu & Kenneth de Roeck & Nicolas Raineri, 2020. "Hypocritical organizations: Implications for employee social responsibility," Post-Print hal-03796007, HAL.
    9. Nicolas Raineri & Pascal Paillé, 2016. "Erratum to: Linking Corporate Policy and Supervisory Support with Environmental Citizenship Behaviors: The Role of Employee Environmental Beliefs and Commitment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 137(1), pages 211-211, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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