Does power corrupt? The moderating effect of status

Abstract

Findings on the effect of power on corruption are mixed. To make sense of these mixed results, three studies were conducted to examine the moderating role of status on this effect. In Study 1, corrupt intent was measured using a corruption scenario that contained manipulations of power and status. In Study 2, corrupt behaviour was measured in a corruption game that contained manipulations of power and status. Study 3 was conducted in real organisational settings, and aimed to expand the external validity of Studies 1 and 2. The results of all three studies consistently indicated that the effect of power was moderated by status. Specifically, power increased corruption when status was low, whereas this effect disappeared when status was high. The implications of reducing the facilitating effect of power on corruption by considering status from the perspective of social hierarchy are discussed.

Selfish power and unselfish status in Chinese work situations

“…Power had no effect on SIB when status was high. These results are consistent with those from some recent studies (Anicich et al, 2016; Gu et al, 2019). Gu et al (2019) found that power increases corruption behaviours only within the low‐status condition.…”

“…These results are consistent with those from some recent studies (Anicich et al, 2016; Gu et al, 2019). Gu et al (2019) found that power increases corruption behaviours only within the low‐status condition. Power holders who are not respected by others have a low sense of self‐worth, and their power provides them enough freedom to derogate others to bolster their threatened self‐worth (Fast et al, 2012).…”

“…The interaction between power and status, consistent with many previous empirical studies (Anicich et al, 2016; Fast et al, 2012; Gu et al, 2019), suggests a mental function of power and status. As indicated in the results of Study 1, power exerts a selfish tendency only under the low‐status condition.…”

“…A multiple regression analysis was used to test the interactive effect of power and status on PT (cf. Gu et al, 2019). In Step 1, gender and SC were entered as covariates because they correlated with PT.…”

“…the functional model of hierarchy; Halevy, Chou, & Galinsky, 2011). Previous empirical studies have found that power increases demeaning behaviours, interpersonal conflict, and corruption only when status is low (Anicich et al, 2016; Fast et al, 2012; Gu et al, 2019). The interaction between power and status indicates that the behavioural effects of the two constructs may be affected by each other.…”