Cited by 682Job Satisfaction and Organizational BehaviorNonprofit Sector and VolunteeringEthics in Business and Education

The Bright Side of Being Prosocial at Work, and the Dark Side, Too: A Review and Agenda for Research on Other-Oriented Motives, Behavior, and Impact in Organizations

Bolino, Mark C., Grant, Adam M.·2016·Academy of Management Annals

Abstract

More than a quarter century ago, organizational scholars began to explore the implications of prosociality in organizations. Three interrelated streams have emerged from this work, which focus on prosocial motives (the desire to benefit others or expend effort out of concern for others), prosocial behaviors (acts that promote/protect the welfare of individuals, groups, or organizations), and prosocial impact (the experience of making a positive difference in the lives of others through one's work). Prior studies have highlighted the importance of prosocial motives, behaviors, and impact, and have enhanced our understanding of each of them. However, there has been little effort to systematically review and integrate these related lines of work in a way that furthers our understanding of prosociality in organizations. In this article, we provide an overview of the current state of the literature, highlight key findings, identify major research themes, and address important controversies and debates. We call for an expanded view of prosocial behavior and a sharper focus on the costs and unintended consequences of prosocial phenomena. We conclude by suggesting a number of avenues for future research that will address unanswered questions and should provide a more complete understanding of prosociality in the workplace.

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Crossref · 10.5465/19416520.2016.1153260

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Authors
Bolino, M. C., & Grant, A. M.
Affiliations
University of Pennsylvania (US)
Venue
Academy of Management Annals
Published
2016-01
Volume
10
Issue
1
Pages
599-670
ISSN
  • 1941-6067 (ISSN-L)
  • 1941-6520
OpenAlex
W4246718271
Cited by
682
References
336
Citations by year
2026: 94 · 2025: 82 · 2024: 71 · 2023: 93 · 2022: 82 · 2021: 75 · 2020: 72 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 5
FWCI
73.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Academy of Management Annals (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Ethics in Business and Education
Keywords
prosocial behavior, prosocial motivation, prosocial impact, unintended consequences, helping behavior, organizational behavior

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