The Curse of Loyalty: Cultural Interdependence and Support for Pro-Organizational Corruption

Abstract

Corruption thrives when individuals fail to take actions to stop it. We draw on research on culture and social roles to illuminate when and why interdependence leads to corruption. Three studies indicate that cultural interdependence creates social and psychological conditions that foster corruption. Interdependent cultures emphasize norms associated with benevolence and intra-group benefit and, as a result, individuals in interdependent cultures are less likely than others to speak up against pro-organizational corruption. In Study 1, analysis of an archival dataset of NCAA violations reveals that a culture of interdependence at universities was associated with reduced monitoring of deviance and greater group level violations, which further predicted deviance severity. In Study 2, we demonstrate the mediating role of social role expectation of group members on lower punishment of pro-organizational corrupt behavior. Finally, In Study 3, we use experimental methods to test the proposed mechanism. Consistent with our theoretical model, interdependence leads to greater protection of an unethical group member, but only when the unethical behavior met role expectations of benevolence. Implications for research on the culture, roles, and corruption is discussed.