Lecture 1
Anglin, A. H., Kincaid, P. A., Short, J. C., & Allen, D. G. (2022). Role theory perspectives:
Past, present, and future applications of role theories in management research. Journal of
Management, 01492063221081442
The authors of this article provide a comprehensive exploration of the past, present, and
future applications of role theory perspectives in management research. They begin by tracing
the historical development of role theory, highlighting its roots in sociology and social
psychology. They note that early conceptualizations of roles were largely deterministic, viewing
individuals as passive recipients of predetermined roles. However, more recent
conceptualizations have emphasized the dynamic and fluid nature of roles, recognizing that
individuals negotiate and interpret their roles within specific social and organizational contexts.
The authors then examine the different approaches to measuring roles in management research,
highlighting the strengths and limitations of self-reported measures, observer ratings, and
network analysis. They argue that the choice of measure can significantly impact research
findings, and emphasize the importance of using multiple measures to capture the complexity of
role behavior. They also discuss the challenges associated with measuring informal roles, which
may not be explicitly defined or recognized within an organization.
Next, the authors explore the current and future applications of role theory in
management research. They argue that role theory provides a valuable framework for
understanding how individuals navigate their social and organizational roles, as well as how
these roles influence behavior and attitudes. They discuss the potential of role theory to inform
research on a wide range of topics, including leadership, team dynamics, organizational culture,
and social identity. They also highlight the potential of role theory to inform research on the
formation and maintenance of social identity within organizations, recognizing the importance
of understanding the interplay between individual and collective identities. The authors also
examine the limitations of role theory perspectives in management research. They note that role
theory may not fully capture the complexity of individual and collective identity formation, and
argue that future research should consider the interplay between different identity dimensions
(e.g., gender, race, and ethnicity). They also caution that role theory perspectives may overlook
the influence of broader social and cultural factors on organizational behavior, and call for
further research to explore these interactions.
Finally, the authors conclude by calling for further research into the potential
applications of role theory in management research. They argue that role theory perspectives
have the potential to inform a wide range of research questions and provide valuable insights
into the complex dynamics of organizational behavior. However, they stress the need for future
research to address the limitations of current conceptualizations and measures of roles, and to
explore the potential of role theory to inform research on broader social and cultural factors that
influence organizational behavior. They also suggest that future research should explore the
potential of integrating role theory with other theoretical frameworks to enhance our
understanding of organizational behavior.
Questions
What is the main purpose of the article?
The article aims to provide a comprehensive review of role theory perspectives and their
applications in management research, highlighting the past, present, and future trends in the
field.
,What are the key concepts of role theory?
Role theory is a social-psychological framework that explains how individuals and
groups perform various roles in organizations and society, based on shared expectations, norms,
and behaviors. The key concepts of role theory include role enactment, role performance, role
conflict, role ambiguity, role identity, and role salience.
How has role theory evolved over time in management research?
Role theory has evolved from early conceptualizations of individual roles and their
functions in organizations to more complex and dynamic models that consider the interplay of
multiple roles and their effects on individual and organizational outcomes. The article describes
different theoretical perspectives on role theory, such as social identity theory, social exchange
theory, and self-categorization theory, and their implications for management research.
What are the main applications of role theory in management research?
Role theory has been used in various domains of management research, such as
leadership, team dynamics, organizational culture, diversity, and innovation. The article
highlights some specific applications of role theory, such as role conflict management, role
negotiation, role crafting, and role transitions, and their relevance for understanding and
improving organizational outcomes.
What are the future directions for role theory research in management?
The article suggests several future directions for role theory research in management,
such as exploring the role dynamics in complex and diverse settings, examining the role of
technology and virtual work environments, integrating multiple levels of analysis and
interdisciplinary perspectives, and developing more nuanced and context-sensitive measures of
roles and role-related outcomes.
,Lecture 2
Morrison, E. W. (1993). Longitudinal study of the effects of information seeking on
newcomer socialization. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78, 173–183.Links to an external
site.
The study focuses on the importance of socialization in organizations, which refers to the
process by which newcomers learn the norms, values, and expectations of their new workplace.
Effective socialization is critical for individuals to feel confident and competent in their roles,
which can lead to higher job satisfaction and performance. The study proposes that information
seeking behavior may play an important role in effective socialization and explores the
relationship between information seeking and various outcomes related to socialization. The
study was conducted as a longitudinal survey of 176 newcomers to a large financial services
organization. Participants were surveyed at three points in time: shortly after starting their new
job, six weeks later, and four months later. The surveys included measures of information
seeking behavior, socialization outcomes, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions.
The study found that higher levels of information seeking were positively related to various
outcomes related to socialization, such as job satisfaction and lower turnover intentions. This
suggests that information seeking may be an important factor in helping newcomers adapt to
their new organization. Moreover, the study found that the relationship between information
seeking and socialization outcomes is mediated by role clarity. In other words, the positive
effects of information seeking on socialization outcomes were partially explained by the extent
to which newcomers had a clear understanding of their roles within the organization. The author
argues that these findings have important implications for both researchers and practitioners.
For researchers, the study highlights the importance of understanding the role of information
seeking in effective socialization. For practitioners, the study suggests that organizations may
benefit from providing newcomers with the information and resources they need to effectively
adapt to their new roles. This may include clear job descriptions, orientation programs, and
mentors or buddies who can provide guidance and support. Additionally, the study underscores
the importance of role clarity in effective socialization, suggesting that organizations should
strive to provide clear expectations and feedback to newcomers to help them succeed in their
new roles.
Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the socialization process and the role of
information seeking in facilitating successful adaptation to new organizations. The findings
suggest that information seeking may be a critical factor in newcomer socialization and that
organizations should take steps to provide the necessary resources and support to help
newcomers effectively navigate their new roles.
Questions
What is the main objective of the study conducted by Morrison (1993)?
The main objective of the study is to examine the effects of information seeking on the
socialization process of newcomers in an organization.
What is the theoretical framework used in the study, and how is it relevant to the research
question?
The theoretical framework used in the study is socialization theory, which suggests that
newcomers go through a process of adjustment and learning to adapt to their new work
environment. The study is relevant to the research question as it seeks to explore how
information seeking behavior of newcomers may impact their socialization process.
, What are the main findings of the study?
The main findings of the study are that information seeking behavior is positively
related to socialization outcomes such as role clarity, task proficiency, and job satisfaction.
Additionally, the study found that information seeking behavior tends to decrease over time as
newcomers become more familiar with their job and organization.
What are the practical implications of the study for managers and organizations?
The study suggests that managers can help facilitate the socialization process of
newcomers by encouraging information seeking behavior and providing adequate information
resources. Organizations can also benefit from providing information resources to newcomers,
as it may lead to improved job performance and job satisfaction.
