Lack of sleep and unethical conduct

Author: Barnes, Christopher M.; Schaubroeck, John; Huth, Megan; Ghumman, Sonia

Description: We draw from the Ego Depletion model and research on sleep physiology to predict a relationship between lack of sleep and individuals’ unethical behavior. Laboratory studies showed that sleep quantity is positively related to self-control resources and negative associated with unethical behavior. In a cross-sectional field study examining unethical behavior in a variety of work settings, low levels of sleep, and low perceived quality of sleep, were both positively related to unethical behavior as rated by the supervisor, and cognitive fatigue mediated the influence of sleep quantity. In an experience sampling field study, we found similar effects within individuals. We discuss the role of lost sleep in better understanding unethical behavior in organizations.

Subject headings: Ethics; Unethical behavior; Deviance; Sleep; Fatigue; Self-regulation; Ego depletion

Publication year: 2011

Journal or book title: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes

Volume: 115

Issue: 2

Pages: 169-180

Find the full text: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749597811000239

Find more like this one (cited by): https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cites=15092948888750164431&as_sdt=1000005&sciodt=0,16&hl=en

Type: Journal article

Serial number: 3158

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