A business ethics perspective on constructive deviant behavior in organizations: A literature review and an integrated framework proposal

Abstract

Constructive Deviant Behavior (CDB) raises an ethical dilemma that poses a significant challenge within the realm of business ethics. This ethical dilemma is the extent to which individuals should be allowed, or even encouraged, to challenge established norms in the name of organizational and stakeholder well‐being before compromising ethical principles. Despite the growing body of research in this field, which highlights the emergence of a new domain, there remains a lack of a comprehensive framework to define and understand CDB within organizational contexts. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to fill this gap by conducting a thorough analysis of the literature using the PRISMA methodology. In order to systematically review previous research, a sample of relevant articles was selected and analyzed in depth with the aim of defining a comprehensive framework clarifying the nature, forms, and dimensions of CDB. In addition, the relationships between CDB and its antecedents and outcomes were investigated from a business ethics perspective. Within this context, the study proposes a unified CDB framework while acknowledging and integrating the diverse perspectives that have emerged in past studies. Furthermore, this research reveals that individual and organizational characteristics are the predominant antecedents of CDB. Finally, as an emerging domain of increasing practical relevance within business ethics, this subject offers fertile avenues for future research, as delineated by the findings of this study.