Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda

Madhurima Mishra, Koustab Ghosh, Dheeraj Sharma

Journal of Business Ethics · 2022 · Volume 179 · Issue 1

Abstract

Since the conceptualization ofunethical pro-organizational behaviorten years ago, scholarly interest in exploring this phenomenon has multiplied. Given a burgeoning body of empirical research, a review of unethical pro-organizational behavior literature is warranted. This study, therefore, systematically reviews the extant literature on unethical pro-organizational behavior and presents a comprehensive theory-based review of the past developments in this field. We classify previous studies based on their underlying theoretical perspectives and discuss the antecedents and consequences of unethical pro-organizational behavior in work context. We also explicate the boundary conditions under which the influence of these antecedents gets accentuated or alleviated. Overall, this study synthesizes past knowledge to elucidate why, how, and when unethical pro-organizational behavior unfolds in the workplace. Finally, the gaps in the extant theorization are identified and an agenda for future research is proposed.

Keywords

Unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPOB), Systematic literature review, Future research agenda

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