The Social Implications of Punishing Unethical Behavior: Observers' Cognitive and Affective Reactions

Linda Klebe Trevino, Gail A. Ball

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

104 Scopus citations

Abstract

This experiment investigated how punishment of varying severity (no punishment, appropriate punishment, and harsh punishment) in response to unethical organizational behavior influenced observers' outcome expectancies, justice evaluations, and emotional responses. Results suggested that only the harshest disciplinary response influenced outcome expectancies. In addition, observers' justice evaluations and emotional responses were generally most positive in the harshest vicarious punishment condition. Implications for future research and management practice are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)751-768
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Management
Volume18
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1992

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Finance
  • Strategy and Management

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