Benevolence and Negative Deviant Behavior in Africa: The Moderating Role of Centralization

Abstract

The growing interest in Africa as well as concerns about negative deviant behaviors and ethnic structures necessitates examination of the effect of ethnic expectations on behavior of employees. In this study we leverage insight from ethnos oblige theory to propose that centralization of ethnic norms moderates the relationship between benevolence expectations and negative deviant behavior. Using a cross-sectional design and data from two countries (Ghana: n = 328 and Botswana: n = 100) as well as moderation and cross-cultural analytic techniques, we find support for three-way interactions where the relationship between benevolence and negative deviant behavior is moderated by centralization and culture. We discuss the implications of the findings which support the dynamic perspective of management in Africa.