A Model of Third Parties' Morally Motivated Responses to Mistreatment in Organizations
Abstract
We present a theory of why some people who witness or learn about acts of mistreatment against others in organizations are more likely to recognize this injustice and become personally involved. Drawing from theories of moral identity, moral intuitions, and self-regulation, we explain third parties' morally motivated responses to mistreatment and consider the role of power and belief in the disciplinary system in this process. We discuss implications of the theory and propose future research directions.
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The organization may be perceived as a facilitator and found responsible for giving the authority to the abusive supervisor.
“Therefore, the organization may be perceived as a facilitator and found responsible for giving the authority to the abusive supervisor.”
From Blame or Justification: A Conceptual Model of How Attributions Shape Observers’ Deviant Responses to Abusive Supervision (2026) · cites this paper as O’reilly & Aquino, 2011
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Third parties’ reactions to the abusive supervision of coworkers
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- Authors
- O'reilly, J., & Aquino, K.
- Affiliations
- The University of British Columbia
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- ORCID
- Aquino, Karl
- Venue
- Academy of Management Review
- Publisher
- Academy of Management
- Published
- 2011-07
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 526-543
- ISSN
- 0363-7425 (ISSN-L)
- 1930-3807
- OpenAlex
- W1964937508
- Cited by
- 223
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 28.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Academy of Management Review (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Ethics in Business and Education
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Workplace Violence and Bullying
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior
- Keywords
- third parties, moral motivation, moral identity, moral intuitions, self-regulation, organizational justice, power, workplace abuse
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