Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Intergroup behaviour in organizations
T2 - A field test of social identity theory
AU - Hennessy, Josephine
AU - West, Michael
PY - 1999/6
Y1 - 1999/6
N2 - This study tests social identity theory and realistic conflict theory by examining intra- and intergroup relations in a team-based community-health care organization. The relationships between people’s patterns of identification (with their work group and with the organization) and their perceptions of intergroup competition for scarce resources are related to in-group favoritism. Questionnaire data gathered from 112 participants, who were members of 17 work groups within the organization, reveal that strong identification with the work group rather than the organization is related to high levels of in-group favoritism, thus supporting the relevance of social identity theory in an organizational setting. In-group identification did not predict between-group discrimination in resource distribution, although such discrimination was demonstrated. We suggest that in applied settings the factors influencing social behavior are more complex than in laboratory studies but that social identity theory has clear practical importance for understanding and influencing the effectiveness of team-based organizations.
AB - This study tests social identity theory and realistic conflict theory by examining intra- and intergroup relations in a team-based community-health care organization. The relationships between people’s patterns of identification (with their work group and with the organization) and their perceptions of intergroup competition for scarce resources are related to in-group favoritism. Questionnaire data gathered from 112 participants, who were members of 17 work groups within the organization, reveal that strong identification with the work group rather than the organization is related to high levels of in-group favoritism, thus supporting the relevance of social identity theory in an organizational setting. In-group identification did not predict between-group discrimination in resource distribution, although such discrimination was demonstrated. We suggest that in applied settings the factors influencing social behavior are more complex than in laboratory studies but that social identity theory has clear practical importance for understanding and influencing the effectiveness of team-based organizations.
U2 - 10.1177/104649649903000305
DO - 10.1177/104649649903000305
M3 - Journal article
VL - 30
SP - 261
EP - 382
JO - Small Group Research
JF - Small Group Research
SN - 1046-4964
IS - 3
ER -