Yuan, M; Wang, X; Zhang, Z; Lin, H and Yu, M (2024) How does collective moral judgment focus on the self-induce deviant behavior of construction workers? A multilevel investigation. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 31(12), pp. 4809-4830. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: The deviant behavior (DB) of construction workers has always been a troubling event in project management. Although scholars continue to search for the main causes of this behavior to curb it at the source, the authors know less about the role and contribution of the team. This study aims to uncover the mechanisms and conditions under which collective moral judgment focus on self (CMJS) effectively enhances DB. Design/methodology/approach: Adopting Chinese construction enterprises as samples, a hierarchical linear model (HLM) is used to test the results of the hypothesis. Moderated mediating effects are used to analyze the potential mechanisms and boundary conditions of DB. Findings: The results of the HLM analysis show that CMJS could directly and significantly induce DB, and moral disengagement (MD) plays a mediator role in this association. In addition, the positive relationship between MD and DB is stronger when performance-avoidance goal orientation (PaGO) or overqualification (Overq) is higher. Research limitations/implications: The conditions and mechanisms that influence DB are not unique. Future study could examine the explanatory and weighting mechanisms of DB from other perspectives or to construct a framework and summarize the factors that may influence DB. Practical implications: This study provides a rich theoretical basis for the prevention and correction of construction workers' DB in Chinese construction firms from the perspective of CMJS. In addition, objective moral judgments contribute to guiding employees' moral cognitive processes and positive work. Originality/value: This study extends existing research on DB and advances the practical outcomes of construction project governance. It not only illustrates that CMJS has a direct impact on DB but also clarifies the mechanisms and conditions that predispose to the generation of DB, filling the research gap on construction workers' DB from cross-level mechanisms and also enriching the theoretical system for preventing this behavior.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | collective moral judgment focus on self; deviant behavior; hierarchical linear model; moral disengagement; overqualification; performance-avoidance goal orientation |
| Index terms: | construction firm, methodology, construction project, boundary condition, mediator, judgment, governance, investigation, prevention, construction worker, future study, project management |
| Subjects: | financial risk, production management, research methods, structural engineering, practitioner, organization, project management theory and practice, dispute resolution, research design and methodology, business, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Roles and Professions, Governance, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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