The Relationship Between Employee's Interpersonal Orientation And Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior

Up to now numerous studies have explored the influencing factors,psychological mechanisms and potential negative outcomes of unethical behaviors within organizations.However,unethical pro-organizational behaviors(UPB)have been less involved.Due to the relative lack of empirical research,the current study explored the relationship between interpersonal orientation and UPB,and the mediation role of supervisor-subordinate Guanxi and the moderation role of moral identity in this relationship.Two studies were conducted to investigate the above-mentioned topics.Study 1 focused on the relationship between interpersonal orientation,supervisor-subordinate Guanxi,and UPB.The study found that interpersonal orientation and supervisor-subordinate Guanxi were positively related with UPB.In addition,interpersonal orientation was positively related to supervisor-subordinate Guanxi.Moreover,supervisor-subordinate Guanxi played a partial mediation role in relationship between interpersonal orientation and UPB.Individuals of high interpersonal orientation were more willing to establish supervisor-subordinate Guanxi within organizational contexts.The higher the quality of supervisor-subordinate Guanxi,the more likely the employees would engage in UPB in order to repay superiors out of gratitude and positive reciprocity.Study 2 explored moral identity's influence on supervisor-subordinate Guanxi's mediation role in the relationship between interpersonal orientation and UPB.The results replicated what was found in Study 1.A moderating mediation was testified and found that the mediating role of supervisor-subordinate Guanxi between interpersonal orientations was moderated by moral identity.The supervisor-subordinate Guanxi's mediation between interpersonal orientation and UPB was only found in individuals with low internalization and symbolized moral identity.But for individuals with high internalization and symbolized moral identity,the mediation no longer existed that individuals with interpersonal orientation were not tended to be involved in UPB.To sum up,the current study revealed interpersonal orientation as a potential risk factor influencing individuals' intention to engage in UPB.This relationship was mediated by supervisor-subordinate Guanxi only when individuals were low in moral identity.Theoretical and practical significance,limitations and future directions of the current study were also discussed.