Charting ethical shadows: institutional dynamics for sycophancy as a strategy in public universities

This research explores the structural mechanisms that foster sycophantic behaviors among academics in Business Schools at Turkish public universities. It investigates how institutional factors influence academic working conditions and promote the use of sycophantic strategies. Grounded in an institutional theoretical perspective, this study employs semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews with research assistants, research fellows, and assistant professors. Thematic analysis of the data reveals two key themes: career advancement systems, and access to power and authority. By examining the institutional dimensions of sycophancy, this research enhances our understanding of how context-dependent factors legitimize unethical behaviors within organizations. In terms of theoretical contribution, it challenges traditional notions of legitimacy, and highlights the role of regulatory, normative, and cultural-cognitive dimensions in shaping sycophantic behaviors. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the institutionalization of sycophancy in higher education, illustrating how it has become a survival strategy within the workplace despite its unethical nature.