Does observing teammates’ unethical behaviors undermine team cooperative performance? A moderated mediation model study in the hospitality industry

Abstract

The effects associated with observed teammates’ unethical behaviors (OTUB) have been severely neglected, especially in the hospitality industry. Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, we proposed a theoretical model to examine third-party observers’ emotional and behavioral responses to OTUB. Specifically, we theorized that OTUB evokes third-party observers’ anger and further undermines their cooperative performance with teammates (CPWT). In addition, we proposed that observers’ mindfulness moderates the relationship between OTUB and anger, as well as the relationship between OTUB and CPWT. Our theoretical model was supported by survey data collected at three-time points from 216 supervisor-follower dyads in hotels in China. Thus, our study proposed a novel perspective to explain how and why teammates’ unethical behaviors negatively affect third-party observers’ CPWT. We also provided practical insights for hospitality managers to better deal with employees’ unethical behaviors and enhance cooperative performance among teammates.