Can rewards induce corresponding forms of theft? Introducing the reward‐theft parity effect. Issue 3 (14th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Jeff S.; Friend, Scott B.; Esteky, Sina
• Is Part Of: Business ethics, the environment & responsibility. Volume 31:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 846
• Page End: 858
• Publication Date: 2022-04-14
• Subjects: employee theft -- mixed methods -- organizational rewards -- procedural justice -- processing fluency; Business ethics -- Periodicals; Social responsibility of business -- Periodicals; Business enterprises -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 174.4; 174.4
• DOI: 10.1111/beer.12433
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2694-6416

Abstract

Abstract: Rewards are reinforcement mechanisms that organizations use to shape desirable employee behaviors. However, rewards may also have unintended consequences, such as building expectations for receiving extra benefits and weakening employee barriers to unethical acts. This article investigates the dark side of the reward–behavior association, and exploring what is referred to as the reward–theft parity effect (RTPE). The authors hypothesize that receiving rewards induces a corresponding type of theft. In Study 1, survey results ( n = 634) show initial support for the RTPE between rewards and same‐category theft, and that perceptions of procedural justice attenuate this association. Study 2 involved a 2 (reward) × 2 (theft opportunity) between‐subjects experimental design ( n = 300) and provides further support for the RTPE by revealing greater theft under a reward–theft parity condition than under a reward–theft disparity condition. Study 3 replicates these findings in a field experiment ( n = 285) and finds that the RTPE is exacerbated when the reward–behavior task is perceived as unjust. Collectively, these findings provide new theoretical insights while also giving managers a more complete understanding of the dark side of behavioral reinforcement mechanisms.