Investigating a sequential mediation effect between unethical leadership and unethical pro-family behavior: testing moral awareness as a moderator

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the effect of unethical leadership on unethical pro-family behavior through the sequential mediating effect of emotional exhaustion and unethical pro-organizational behavior and the moderating role of moral awareness among hospitality industry employees. Data were collected from frontline employees of 5-star hotels in Iran’s leading tourist destination cities. Testing hypotheses were conducted using models 6 and 8 of PROCESS Macro SPSS. The results indicated that unethical leadership contributed to unethical pro-family behavior through direct and sequential mediating effects of emotional exhaustion and unethical pro-organizational behavior. Empirical evidence also confirmed that moral awareness moderated the relationship between unethical leadership and unethical pro-organizational behavior. In contrast, its moderating effect on the relationship between unethical leadership and unethical pro-family behavior was insignificant. This study offers new insights into our understanding of unethical leadership and its consequences in the hospitality industry.