Research Article

When Support Encourages Rule-Bending: Constructive Deviance as a Pathway to Organizational Trust in Hospitality

Volume: 9 Number: 1 June 20, 2026
TR EN

When Support Encourages Rule-Bending: Constructive Deviance as a Pathway to Organizational Trust in Hospitality

Abstract

This study examines how employees’ perceptions of organizational support shape the development of trust within hospitality organizations. Drawing on data collected from 403 frontline employees working in five-star hotels in Türkiye, the research explores whether constructive deviance functions as a mediating mechanism in this relationship. The proposed model was tested using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 4). The findings reveal that perceived organizational support strengthens organizational trust both directly and indirectly through constructive deviant behaviors performed with prosocial intent. In service environments characterized by high operational pressure, employees who perceive strong support from their organizations appear more willing to engage in rule-bending behaviors aimed at improving service outcomes, which in turn fosters greater trust. By highlighting constructive deviance as a relational mechanism rather than a dysfunctional outcome, this study contributes to hospitality management literature and provides practical implications for sustaining trust-based organizational climates.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

The data used in this study were collected in 2019 as part of the author's doctoral dissertation. At the time of data collection, ethics committee approval was not mandatory under national regulations. For publication purposes, the study was reviewed and approved by the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of Artvin Çoruh University (Decision No: E-18457941-050.99-125379, dated February 12, 2024). Participation was voluntary, and confidentiality was ensured.

Thanks

This study is derived from the author’s doctoral dissertation completed in 2019. The author would like to thank Prof. Dr. Sema Polatcı for her supervision and guidance during the doctoral process.

References

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  4. Blau, P. M. (1964). Exchange and power in social life. Wiley.
  5. Chen, H., & Eyoun, K. (2021). Do mindfulness and perceived organizational support work? Fear of COVID-19 on restaurant frontline employees’ job insecurity and emotional exhaustion. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 94, 102850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102850
  6. Cummings, L. L., & Bromiley, P. (1996). The organizational trust inventory (OTI): Development and validation. In R. Kramer & T. Tyler (Eds.) Trust in organizations: 302-330. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  7. Dahling, J. J., Chau, S. L., Mayer, D. M., & Gregory, J. B. (2012). Breaking rules for the right reasons? An investigation of pro-social rule breaking. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 33 (1), 21–42. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.730
  8. Eisenberger, R., Huntington, R., Hutchison, S., & Sowa, D. (1986). Perceived organizational support. Journal of Applied Psychology, 71 (3), 500–507. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.71.3.500

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Tourism Management

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 20, 2026

Submission Date

February 27, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 5, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Yalap, O. (2026). When Support Encourages Rule-Bending: Constructive Deviance as a Pathway to Organizational Trust in Hospitality. Journal of Tourism Intelligence and Smartness, 9(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.58636/jtis.1899265
AMA
1.Yalap O. When Support Encourages Rule-Bending: Constructive Deviance as a Pathway to Organizational Trust in Hospitality. JTIS. 2026;9(1):1-15. doi:10.58636/jtis.1899265
Chicago
Yalap, Osman. 2026. “When Support Encourages Rule-Bending: Constructive Deviance As a Pathway to Organizational Trust in Hospitality”. Journal of Tourism Intelligence and Smartness 9 (1): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.58636/jtis.1899265.
EndNote
Yalap O (June 1, 2026) When Support Encourages Rule-Bending: Constructive Deviance as a Pathway to Organizational Trust in Hospitality. Journal of Tourism Intelligence and Smartness 9 1 1–15.
IEEE
[1]O. Yalap, “When Support Encourages Rule-Bending: Constructive Deviance as a Pathway to Organizational Trust in Hospitality”, JTIS, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1–15, June 2026, doi: 10.58636/jtis.1899265.
ISNAD
Yalap, Osman. “When Support Encourages Rule-Bending: Constructive Deviance As a Pathway to Organizational Trust in Hospitality”. Journal of Tourism Intelligence and Smartness 9/1 (June 1, 2026): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.58636/jtis.1899265.
JAMA
1.Yalap O. When Support Encourages Rule-Bending: Constructive Deviance as a Pathway to Organizational Trust in Hospitality. JTIS. 2026;9:1–15.
MLA
Yalap, Osman. “When Support Encourages Rule-Bending: Constructive Deviance As a Pathway to Organizational Trust in Hospitality”. Journal of Tourism Intelligence and Smartness, vol. 9, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 1-15, doi:10.58636/jtis.1899265.
Vancouver
1.Osman Yalap. When Support Encourages Rule-Bending: Constructive Deviance as a Pathway to Organizational Trust in Hospitality. JTIS. 2026 Jun. 1;9(1):1-15. doi:10.58636/jtis.1899265