The Hidden Cost of Winning at All Cost: Unethical Pro-Organisational Behaviour a Goal Theory Perspective

This study aims at developing mechanisms to understand the phenomenon of unethical pro-organisational behaviour (UPB) under goal theory.This overview on UPB has several implications for a better understanding in the general context of UPB and offers a base for future and potentially more effective management strategies by which to curtail UPB in the workplace.The methodology used for this research is the systematic literature review, which refers to information from various databases that assist with the analysis of goal theories and their relationship with the phenomenon of UPB.Major findings of the review established that UPB is an outcome of managerial practices and the intensification of organizational goals.It identifies goal-setting and goal achievements theories that might promote the emergence of UPB in the form of organizational goals and managerial practices.Some existing goal theories, like goal-setting and goal achievement theories, were analyzed to realize their contribution to triggering UPB.Future researchers could develop and test interventions to address the identified goal-related factors to reduce the risk of UPB.Organizations can, therefore, promote ethical actions and, at the same time, achieve desired performance results by taking a more holistic approach toward goal management.