Juggling Work and Home Selves: Low Identity Integration Feels Less Authentic and Increases Unethicality

Mahdi, E., Kouchaki, M., & Patrick, V. M. (2019), “Juggling Work and Home Selves: Low Identity Integration Feels Less Authentic and Increases Unethicality,” forthcoming in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.

Posted: 10 Jun 2020

See all articles by Vanessa Patrick

Vanessa Patrick

University of Houston - C.T. Bauer College of Business

Maryam Kouchaki

Northwestern Kellogg School of Management

Mahdi Ebrahimi

California State University, Fullerton

Date Written: March 18, 2019

Abstract

This research investigates the effect of individuals’ subjective perceptions of the overlap among different identities on their feelings of authenticity and the likelihood of engaging in unethical behavior. Across four studies we found that low (vs. high) identity integration led to greater feelings of in-authenticity and a higher likelihood of engaging in unethical behavior. Manipulation of low (vs. high or control) identity integration led to higher feelings of in-authenticity (Study 1) and greater cheating behavior (Study 2). Feelings of in-authenticity mediated the causal effect of low identity integration on dishonesty (Study 3). In a field survey, using supervisor–employee dyads, we replicated the results from the lab to show that employees who reported lower identity integration felt more inauthentic and were more likely to behave unethically as measured by their supervisors’ report of interpersonal and organizational deviance (Study 4). Our results demonstrate that the manner in which individuals view their multiple identities influences feelings of in-authenticity and unethical behavior.

Keywords: Identity Integration, Authenticity, Ethical Behavior, Self

Suggested Citation

Patrick, Vanessa and Kouchaki, Maryam and Ebrahimi, Mahdi, Juggling Work and Home Selves: Low Identity Integration Feels Less Authentic and Increases Unethicality (March 18, 2019). Mahdi, E., Kouchaki, M., & Patrick, V. M. (2019), “Juggling Work and Home Selves: Low Identity Integration Feels Less Authentic and Increases Unethicality,” forthcoming in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3600859

Vanessa Patrick (Contact Author)

University of Houston - C.T. Bauer College of Business ( email )

Houston, TX 77204-6021
United States

Maryam Kouchaki

Northwestern Kellogg School of Management ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

Mahdi Ebrahimi

California State University, Fullerton ( email )

800 N State College St
Fullerton, CA 92831
United States

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