The Role of Organizational Cynicism and Conscientiousness in the Relationship between Ethical Leadership and Deviance

摘要

This study examines the influential role that organizational cynicism plays in understanding the relationship between ethical leadership and deviant work behavior. Scant research has addressed leadership or personality traits in determining organizational cynicism and its relationship to important outcomes such as deviant work behavior. An interactive effect of ethical leadership and conscientiousness is examined to determine if conscientious individuals are more or less prone to become organizational cynics based on the presence or absence of ethical leadership. The results suggest that conscientious individuals are less likely to rely on ethical leadership to prevent organizational cynicism and subsequent deviant behaviors. Conversely, individuals with lower levels of conscientiousness are more sensitive to ethical leadership and are more likely to respond as cynics, and with subsequent deviant behaviors. That is, individuals with higher levels of conscientiousness do not need ethical role models to prevent cynicism and deviant behaviors nearly as much as those who have lower levels of conscientiousness. The results provide important insights into how, and when, ethical leadership affects deviant workplace behavior.