How Supervisors' Compassionate but Unethical Behavior Impacts Subordinates' Unethical Behavior: A Sensemaking Process
ISBN: 978-1-80117-201-1, eISBN: 978-1-80117-200-4
Publication date: 17 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose: Although there has been increasing scholarly attention regarding the unethical concerns of prosocial behavior at work, scarce research has been done to conceptualize this type of compassionate behavior. To address this research gap, we identify the unethical concerns of a supervisor's compassion and address how this compassion, when combined with unethical implications, impacts subordinates' unethical behavior. Study Design/Methodology/Approach: We drew on sensemaking theory to develop a theoretical model and a four-quadrant taxonomy explaining how subordinate's interpretation of the context and supervisors' actions affected their unethical behavior through emotional responses and shared moral identity with supervisors. Findings: Our propositions suggest that subordinates' different roles in supervisors' compassionate process – the sufferer (receiver) or bystander (witness), and supervisors' unethical behavior at the domain of private or public activities impact their interpretations of meaning and shape their corresponding emotional responses, moral identity, and unethical behavior. Originality/Value: Our theoretical model contributes to a wholistic understanding of compassion at work by identifying the unethical implications of compassion appraisal. It depicts the complex process of how leaders' contradictory information shapes employees' unethical behavior. Research Limitations: The theoretical model and propositions lack the support of empirical data.
Keywords
Citation
Wei, H., Li, S. and Zhu, Y. (2022), "How Supervisors' Compassionate but Unethical Behavior Impacts Subordinates' Unethical Behavior: A Sensemaking Process", Humphrey, R.H., Ashkanasy, N.M. and Troth, A.C. (Ed.) Emotions and Negativity (Research on Emotion in Organizations, Vol. 17), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 229-250. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1746-979120210000017017
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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