The multi-level antecedents of bootlegging: Moving from an individual to a social perspective

Bootlegging, refers to proactive activities conducted underground by individuals to generate innovation without official support or authorization, is increasingly recognized as an important driver of innovation in organizations. While much research has focused on the individual explanations for the emergence of this unauthorized employee phenomenon, little research attention has been paid to the social context in which individual bootlegging occurs. This paper aims to contribute to answering this research question. We study the effects on bootlegging of employees’ immediate social environment, such as coworkers and supervisors. This dissertation aims to contribute to explore the effects on bootlegging of employees’ immediate social environment, such as coworkers and supervisors. To help address this research question and contribute to the knowledge of the antecedents of bootlegging, this dissertation research is further ope-rationalized under the following three relevant sub-questions, which are addressed in Chapters 2, 3, and 4. The first research question is regarding the relationship between supervisors and bootlegging—i.e., how and when leader humility fosters bootlegging. The second research question is regarding the relationship between coworker and employee bootlegging—i.e., how and when coworker proactive behavior influences bootlegging. The third research question concerns the social context of coworker-supervisor interactions on bootlegging—i.e., in what way these interactions inspire bootlegging. The dissertation concludes with a discussion of theoretical and practical implications and recommends directions for future research.