You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours: Unethical pro-organizational behavior and deviance in response to different psychological contract states

•PC breach is positively related to deviance via negative reciprocity.•PC under-fulfillment (via polynomial approach) is positively related to deviance.•PC fulfillment is positively related to unethical pro-organizational behavior via positive reciprocity.•High absolute levels of PC fulfillment (via...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of business research 2023-02, Vol.156, p.113537, Article 113537
Main Authors: Griep, Yannick, Kraak, Johannes M., Fenneman, Jesse, Jiménez, Alfredo, Lub, Xander D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Breach
Deviance
Fulfillment
Polynomials
Psychological contract
Psychology
psykologi
Unethical pro-organizational behavior
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Summary:•PC breach is positively related to deviance via negative reciprocity.•PC under-fulfillment (via polynomial approach) is positively related to deviance.•PC fulfillment is positively related to unethical pro-organizational behavior via positive reciprocity.•High absolute levels of PC fulfillment (via polynomial approach) are positively related to unethical pro-organizational behavior.•We found repeated evidence for the above in two longitudinal field studies. In this multi-study paper, we integrate Social Exchange Theory and the discretionary workplace behavior literature. Specifically, we posit that by breaching their psychological contract (PC) obligations, organizations may trigger negative reciprocity, which in turn may increase deviant behavior. Moreover, we posit that by fulfilling their legitimately PC obligations, organizations may trigger positive reciprocity, which in turn may increase unethical pro-organizational behavior. Across two studies (3-wave field study with traditional breach measure and 2-wave field study with expanded breach measure and polynomial regression), we found repeated evidence for our hypotheses. Specifically, we found that PC breach (Study 1) and PC under-fulfillment (Study 2) are positively related to the enactment of organizational deviance via negative reciprocity. Furthermore, we found that PC fulfillment (Study 1) and high absolute levels of PC fulfillment (Study 2) are positively related to unethical pro-organizational behavior via positive reciprocity. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
ISSN:0148-2963
1873-7978
DOI:10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113537