Recipient and observer reactions to discipline: Are managers experiencing wishful thinking?

Leanne E. Atwater, David Waldman, James A. Carey, Priscilla Cartier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

A qualitative study of recipients' and observers' reactions to discipline events was conducted. Data from 123 recipient interviews and 46 observer interviews were content analyszed and categorized. Results showed that while both groups see positive results from discipline, recipients and observers may lose respect for the discipliner, and may develop negative attitudes toward the organization as a consequence of the discipline. They are also likely to perceive the discipline event as unfair, especially when discipline is applied for informal as opposed to formal rule violations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)249-270
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior
Volume22
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • General Psychology
  • Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Recipient and observer reactions to discipline: Are managers experiencing wishful thinking?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this