Supervisor bottom-line mentality and subordinates' unethical pro-organizational behavior

Abstract

Purpose

The multitude of high-profile corporate scandals has prompted the need for more nuanced understanding of factors within organizations that may influence unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB). Based on the social cognitive theory, this study aims to examine the impact of supervisor bottom-line mentality (BLM) on unethical, but pro-organizational conduct by employees through moral disengagement. Additionally, this study examines the moderating role of employee mindfulness in relation of supervisor BLM and moral disengagement.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the study model, the authors collected data from 198 employees working in various Pakistani firms. This study uses PROCESS procedures for the analysis.

Findings

Analyses of time-lagged data showed that (1) supervisor BLM can lead to employee UPB through employee moral disengagement and (2) mindfulness moderated this relationship, such that high (versus low) mindfulness attenuates the link between supervisor BLM and moral disengagement.

Originality/value

This study adds to the extant research by examining how and when supervisor BLM leads to employee UPB. This is the first attempt to examine how supervisor BLM and trait mindfulness jointly determine moral disengagement, which drives UPB.

Citation

Farasat, M. and Azam, A. (2022), "Supervisor bottom-line mentality and subordinates' unethical pro-organizational behavior", Personnel Review, Vol. 51 No. 1, pp. 353-376. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-03-2020-0129