Unethical pro-organizational behavior, which have garnered attention in recent years, refer to unethical actions that serve the short-term interests of an organization but ultimately inflict severe damage on its long-term prospects. While the initial intention behind these behaviors may be to safeguard organizational interests, it is crucial not to forsake the long-term sustainable development of the enterprise. Therefore, comprehending the underlying causes of unethical pro-organizational behavior becomes imperative for fostering effective prevention strategies within enterprises. This study systematically examines the motivations driving unethical pro-organizational behavior by employing the theory of planned behavior, renowned for its explanatory power concerning individual unethical conduct. By integrating and analyzing antecedent variables at both individual, interpersonal levels, and organizational perspectives within existing research studies, we aim to explore a comprehensive and systematic explanatory mechanism for understanding these motivations.

Weixuan Hu, Feng Feng, Yuxin Dong. Motivation Analysis of Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Academic Journal of Business & Management (2024) Vol. 6, Issue 5: 295-300. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJBM.2024.060540.

[1] Wedell‐Wedellsborg. The psychology behind unethical behavior[M]. Harvard Business Review, 2019, 12, 2-6.

[2] Umphress E E, Bingham J B, Mitchell M S. Unethical behavior in the name of the company: The moderating effect of organizational identification and positive reciprocity beliefs on unethical pro-organizational behavior[J]. Journal of Applied Psychology, 2010, 95(4):769-780.

[3] Umphress E E, & Bingham J B. When employees do bad things for good reasons: Examining unethical pro-organizational behaviors[J]. Organization Science, 2011, 22:621–640.

[4] Sackett P R. The structure of counterproductive work behavior: Dimensionality and relationships with facets of job performance[J]. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 2002, 10:5–11.

[5] Thau S, Derfler-Rozin R, Pitesa M, et al. Unethical for the sake of the group: Risk of social exclusion and pro-group unethical behavior[J]. Journal of Applied Psychology, 2015, 100(1):98-113.

[6] Cao Zhoutao, Wang Tian, Song Yixiao. Can self-sacrificial leadership promote unethical pro-organizational behavior? The mediating role of organizational identification and its boundary conditions [J]. Human Resources Development of China, 2019, 36(06):21-32.

[7] Zhang Yun. The antecedents of employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior in the workplace [D]. Guangdong University of Technology, 2019.

[8] Ajzen I. From intentions to actions: A theory of planned behavior. In: Kuhl, J., & Beckman, (Eds.) [M]. Action Control: From Cognition to Behavior. Heidelberg: Springer, 1985:11-39.

[9] Fishbein M, & Ajzen I. Predicting and changing behavior: The reasoned action approach[M]. NY: Psychology press, 2011.

[10] Ajzen I. The theory of planned behavior[J]. Organizational Behavior & Human Decision Processes, 1991, 50(2):179-211.

[11] Ajzen I, & Driver B L. Application of the theory of planned behavior to leisure choice[J]. Journal of Leisure Research, 1992, 24(3):207–224.

[12] Afshar Jalili Y, and Ghaleh S. Knowledge sharing and the theory of planned behavior: a meta-analysis review [J]. VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems,2021, Vol.51 No.2, pp.236-258, https://doi.org/10.1108/VJIKMS-02-2019-0023.

[13] Lam T, & Hsu C H. Predicting behavioral intention of choosing a travel destination[J]. Tourism Management, 2006, 27(4): 589–599.

[14] Randall D M, and A M Gibson. Ethical Decision Making in the Medical Profession: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior [J]. Journal of Business Ethics, 1991, 10:111–122.

[15] Beck L, Ajzen I. Predicting dishonest actions using the theory of planned behavior[J]. Journal of Research in Personality, 1991, 25(3):285-301.

[16] Mo, S., Lupoli, M. J., Newman, A., & Umphress, E. E. Good intentions, bad behavior: A review and synthesis of the literature on unethical prosocial behavior (UPB) at work[J]. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 2023, 44(2), 335–354.

[17] Ashforth B E, Anand V. The normalization of corruption in organizations[J]. Research in Organizational Behavior, 2003, 25:1–52.

[18] Hu Weixuan. Research on generating mechanism of enterprise employees’ unethical pro-organizational behaviors [D]. Jilin University, 2021.

[19] Zhang Xue. Research on the effects of unethical pro-organizational behavior on organizational members [D]. Harbin Institute of Technology, 2021.