Predicting Counterproductive Work Behavior from Guilt Proneness

26 Pages Posted: 1 Jul 2012 Last revised: 24 Apr 2014

See all articles by Taya R. Cohen

Taya R. Cohen

Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business

A. T. Panter

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill

Nazli Turan

Carnegie Mellon University

Date Written: June 15, 2012

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between guilt proneness and counterproductive work behavior (CWB) using a diverse sample of employed adults working in a variety of different industries at various levels in their organizations. CWB refers to behaviors that harm or are intended to harm organizations or people in organizations. Guilt proneness is a personality trait characterized by a predisposition to experience negative feelings about personal wrongdoing. CWB was engaged in less frequently by individuals high in guilt proneness compared to those low in guilt proneness, controlling for other known correlates of CWB. CWB was also predicted by gender, age, intention to turnover, interpersonal conflict at work, and negative affect at work. Given the detrimental impact of CWB on people and organizations, it may be wise for employers to consider guilt proneness when making hiring decisions.

Keywords: Counterproductive work behavior, guilt proneness, unethical behavior, morality, personality, individual differences

Suggested Citation

Cohen, Taya R. and Panter, A. T. and Turan, Nazli, Predicting Counterproductive Work Behavior from Guilt Proneness (June 15, 2012). Cohen, T. R., Panter, A. T., & Turan, N. (2013). Predicting counterproductive work behavior from guilt proneness. Journal of Business Ethics, 114, 45-53., Intl. Association for Conflict Management, IACM 25th Annual Conference, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2084758

Taya R. Cohen (Contact Author)

Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business ( email )

5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
United States
4122686677 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.tepper.cmu.edu/our-faculty-and-research/about-our-faculty/faculty-profiles/tcohen/cohen-t

A. T. Panter

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill ( email )

102 Ridge Road
Chapel Hill, NC NC 27514
United States

Nazli Turan

Carnegie Mellon University ( email )

Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
United States

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