Unethical behavior in the name of the company: The moderating effect of organizational identification and positive reciprocity beliefs on unethical pro-organizational behavior.

Umphress, Elizabeth E.; Bingham, John B.; Mitchell, Marie S.

doi:10.1037/a0019214

Cited by 873Ethics in Business and EducationJob Satisfaction and Organizational BehaviorAcademic integrity and plagiarism

Unethical behavior in the name of the company: The moderating effect of organizational identification and positive reciprocity beliefs on unethical pro-organizational behavior.

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Umphress, Elizabeth E., Bingham, John B., Mitchell, Marie S.·2010·Journal of Applied Psychology

DOI 10.1037/a0019214

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Abstract

We examined the relationship between organizational identification and unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB)-unethical behaviors conducted by employees to potentially benefit the organization. We predicted that organizational identification would be positively related to UPB and that positive reciprocity beliefs would moderate and strengthen this relationship. The results from 2 field studies support the interaction effect and show that individuals who strongly identify with their organization are more likely to engage in UPB when they hold strong positive reciprocity beliefs. Given the nature of reciprocity, our findings may suggest that highly identified employees who hold strong reciprocity beliefs may conduct UPB with an anticipation of a future reward from their organization. Theoretical and managerial implications of our results for understanding unethical behaviors are discussed.

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Authors: Umphress, E. E., Bingham, J. B., & Mitchell, M. S.
Affiliations: Texas A&M University (US)
Brigham Young University (US)
University of Georgia (US)
ORCID: Umphress, Elizabeth E.
Bingham, John B.
Mitchell, Marie S.
Venue: Journal of Applied Psychology
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2010
Volume: 95
Issue: 4
Pages: 769-780
ISSN: 0021-9010 (ISSN-L)
1939-1854
DOI: 10.1037/a0019214
OpenAlex: W2062610052
Cited by: 873
References: 62
Citations by year: 2026: 84 · 2025: 88 · 2024: 91 · 2023: 107 · 2022: 94 · 2021: 91 · 2020: 78 · 2019: 54 · 2018: 37 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 14
FWCI: 28.20
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
scholarsarchive.byu.edu
Locations: Journal of Applied Psychology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
ScholarsArchive (Brigham Young University) (submittedVersion)
Funders: Brigham Young University
Texas A&M University
Topics: Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Ethics in Business and Education
Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior
Social Sciences › Safety Research › Academic integrity and plagiarism
Keywords: unethical pro-organizational behavior, organizational identification, moderating effect, employee unethical behavior, reciprocity
MeSH terms: Adult, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Male, Personnel Loyalty, Psychometrics, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Behavior, Social Identification, Organizational Culture, Workplace, Ethics, Business, Young Adult

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Unethical behavior in the name of the company: The moderating effect of organizational identification and positive reciprocity beliefs on unethical pro-organizational behavior.

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