A Person-Context Look at UPB and CWB: How Narcissism and Competitive (Cooperative) Organizational Context Influence Willingness to Engage in Unethical Behavior

Abstract

Previous research has indicated that narcissism functions as a positive predictor of counterproductive work behavior (CWB). However, research on moderators of the relationship between narcissism and unethical behavior in organizations remains substantially unexamined. Drawing on a person-situation interactionist perspective and goal facilitation theory, the current study examined how organizational context and perceptions impact the relationship between narcissism and unethical organizational behavior, namely CWB and unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB). Specifically, this study examined the impacts of competitive (cooperative) organizational context and organizational instrumentality perceptions on the relationships between narcissism and CWB and UPB. Consistent with expectations, results indicated that narcissism functioned as a significant positive predictor of UPB. However, competitive (cooperative) organizational context failed to moderate this relationship. Organizational instrumentality, on the other hand, significantly weakened the relationship between narcissism and UPB. Contributions to the UPB literature and suggestions for future research are discussed further.