The Hidden Dark Side of Prestige-Oriented Leadership: The Role of Approval Motive In Explaining Why Prestige-Oriented Leaders Receive More Unethical Requests

Authors:

Abstract: Most prior work on dominance and prestige has linked prestige to more positive outcomes for both leaders and subordinates. Challenging this predominant view, the current research proposes that prestige-oriented leaders are more likely to receive unethical requests from their subordinates. We tested and found support for this hypothesis across three experimental studies that manipulated leader hierarchical orientation and measured subordinates’ willingness to make unethical requests to their leader. Furthermore, we found that this effect is explained by the perceived approval motive of prestige-oriented leaders: subordinates are more likely to make unethical requests to prestige-oriented leaders because these leaders are perceived to care more about being approved by them. Finally, team ethical climate served as a boundary condition that can amplify or attenuate this effect of leader hierarchical orientation on subordinates’ intention to make unethical requests. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.

Track: MORAL

Keywords: Prestige, dominance, ethics, motivation