Coworker Distrust and Employees’ Unethical Behaviors

Unethical behaviors are not caused by a single factor, but various factors can give rise to such behaviors. In this study, the focus is on coworker distrust among employees as an influence on employee unethical behaviors with organizational communication culture as a mediating variable. Data collected from employees in large global companies in Korea were used to test the hypotheses. The regression results showed that the more there is coworker distrust among employees, the more likely it is for employees to behave unethically. Open communication culture in the organization plays a mediating role in the relationship. Therefore, the hypotheses were supported. Discussion of the results and implications are provided.