Repaying the Debt: An Examination of the Relationship between Perceived Organizational Support and Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior by Low Performers

Abstract Drawing on social exchange theory, we examine the conditions under which employees’ good intentions motivate them to engage in unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) and psychological mechanism behind this behavioral decision. Findings from a time-lagged field study scenario indicate (1) an interactive effect between perceived organizational support employee performance UPB; (2) that low performers who perceive high levels of are more likely (3) feelings indebtedness organization mediate UPB. Therefore, paper highlights importance conditional factors motivating UPB by combining ‘good intentions’ ‘disadvantageous situations’ understand decision process. The concludes with theoretical practical implications.