Do gender, age and tenure matter when behaving unethically for organizations: Meta-analytic review on organizational identity and unethical pro-organizational behavior

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to clarify the relationship between organizational identification and employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior, which has been a topic of mixed findings in previous empirical studies. To address this issue, a meta-analytic review was conducted, focusing on the influence of key individual differences such as gender, age and organizational tenure on the relationship between organizational identification and unethical pro-organizational behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes large scholarly databases including Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Business Source Premier and ProQuest Dissertations to identify relevant studies. A total of 31 independent samples with a combined sample size of 8,861 participants were included in the analysis.

Findings

The results showed that the estimated average correlation between organizational identification and unethical pro-organizational behavior after corrected for measurement unreliability was 0.188 (p < 0.001, 95% [CI: 0.125, 0.251]). Gender demonstrated a significant moderating effect (estimate = 0.004, p < 0.05, 95% [CI: 0.000, 0.007]), suggesting that there is stronger association between organizational identification and unethical pro-organizational behavior among male participants. Neither age nor organizational tenure had significant effect on organizational identification-unethical pro-organizational behavior relations.

Originality/value

This study revealed that the organizational identification-unethical pro-organizational behavior link was positive, and the relationship was stronger among male participants than their female counterparts. Age and organizational tenure show no significant impact on unethical pro-organizational behavior. These contribute to The authors' understanding of organizational identification-unethical pro-organizational behavior relationship, as well as identifying its boundary conditions. The study suggests directions for future research and implications for managers and practitioners.

Citation

Dadaboyev, S.M.U., Paek, S. and Choi, S. (2024), "Do gender, age and tenure matter when behaving unethically for organizations: Meta-analytic review on organizational identity and unethical pro-organizational behavior", Baltic Journal of Management, Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-12-2022-0480