The inverted U-shaped relationship between authentic leadership and unethical pro-organizational behavior

• Chenchen Niu

  Shandong University of Finance and Economics

• Fu Liang

  Shandong University of Finance and Economics

• Xiangxiang Meng

  Shandong University of Finance and Economics

• Yao Ocean Liu

  New York University

We conducted a survey to examine the influence of authentic leadership on employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior, basing our research on the theory of organizational identification. Participants were 229 employees of four firms in China. The results show that authentic leadership and employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior had an inverted U-shaped relationship, and that the relationship was mediated by organizational identification. Additionally, moral identity moderated the relationship between authentic leadership and employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior. The research results provide suggestions for reducing employees’ pro-organizational unethical behavior by changing the leadership style supervisors use, thereby promoting the sustainable development of the company.

1. Chenchen Niu, Shandong University of Finance and Economics
   Department of Business Management
2. Fu Liang, Shandong University of Finance and Economics
   Department of Business Management
3. Xiangxiang Meng, Shandong University of Finance and Economics
   Department of Business Management
4. Yao Ocean Liu, New York University
   School of Professional Studies

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