Fight or flight: How gender influences follower responses to unethical leader behaviour

Does unethical leader behaviour produce gendered responses? We study follower response to unethical leader behaviours of bribery and workplace harassment. Our findings, based on an experiment, suggest that leader gender, gender congruence, and implicit gender biases influence follower responses to unethical leader behaviour. These findings raise the troubling implication that unethical male leaders will remain entrenched in positions of power.

Does unethical leader behaviour produce gendered responses? We study follower response to unethical leader behaviours of bribery and workplace harassment. Our findings, based on an experiment, suggest that leader gender, gender congruence, and implicit gender biases influence follower responses to unethical leader behaviour. These findings raise the troubling implication that unethical male leaders will remain entrenched in positions of power.

File Type: 2000220
Categories: Bias, Equity, Ethics, Gender, Gender Equity, Leaders, Organizational equity