Beware the politically skilled maverick: political skill interacts with maverickism to predict unethical decision-making. Issue 8 (25th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gardiner, Elliroma; Debrulle, Jonas
• Is Part Of: Management decision. Volume 59:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 1990
• Page End: 2004
• Publication Date: 2020-11-25
• Subjects: Ethics -- Unethical decision-making -- Maverickism -- Personality -- Political skill; Management -- Periodicals; 658.403
• DOI: 10.1108/MD-05-2019-0630
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-1747

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Across two studies, the current research investigates whether individuals high in maverickism, which incorporates tendencies of creativity, risk-taking, goal-orientation and disruption are likely to make poorer ethical decisions and whether political skill promotes or hinders good ethical judgment. Design/methodology/approach: Participants completed an online questionnaire and an ethical dilemma. Findings: Results with UK (Study 1, N = 300) and Australian workers (Study 2, N = 217) revealed that political skill significantly moderated the maverickism-unethical decision-making relationship. Unethical decision-making was highest for those high in maverickism and political skill. Research limitations/implications: Results highlight that for individuals high in maverickism, political skill facilitates rather than reduces the breaching of ethical norms. Practical implications: Results show that while political skill has traditionally been seen as adaptive in organizations, being politically skilled can contribute to engaging in unethical behavior. Originality/value: This research provides a new and interesting view of how being politically skilled can negatively impact ethical behavior and identifies another individual difference variable, maverickism, which predicts unethical behavior.