Does Inclusive Leadership Promote Rule Breaking for Positive Change? Exploring Psychological Empowerment and Change-oriented Citizenship Behavior

In alignment with social exchange theory (SET), the present research aims to explore the mediating effects of psychological empowerment (PE) and change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior (CO-OCB) on the relationship between inclusive leadership (IL) and pro-social rule breaking (PSRB). We collected data from 542 employees working in Fortune 500 information and technology (IT) companies in India through an online survey using pre-existing scales. We conducted data analyses using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings confirmed the hypothesized positive association between IL and PSRB, mediated by PE and CO-OCB. This research provides valuable insights for the information and technology industry, emphasizing the role of IL in encouraging PSRB behavior, thereby shifting from destructive to constructive. The results can guide top management in fostering IL by creating a psychologically secure workplace where team members feel safe to voice their opinions without fear of negative repercussions. Furthermore, the study establishes that PE and CO-OCB significantly influence the relationship between IL and PSRB.