Interdepartmental Research Seminar

Relational Misperceptions in the Workplace: New Frontiers And Challenges
 (Under third revision for Organization Science)

Abstract: Understanding the social landscape at work helps employees accomplish organizational goals. A growing body of evidence, however, suggests people are fallible perceivers of their work relationships. People do not always know how much others trust (or distrust) them, consider them a friend (or enemy), or rely on them for advice or information at work. Because relational misperceptions may be especially likely in the context of work organizations, we direct attention to five key opportunities for future research on how and why employees misinterpret the nature of their relationships with others at work—and what consequences ensue when they do. We develop theoretical accounts for when, why, and how relational misperceptions occur and matter in organizations. Building on the small body of organizational research and larger body of non-organizational research on relationship misperception, we also identify areas that may be fruitful for exploration, highlighting several topics in the organizational literature that could be enlivened by considering the role of relational misperceptions. For example, we consider how employees’ relational misperceptions may affect how influential they are at work, how effectively they lead others, and how they navigate the social landscape in organizations.

Kris Byron, associate professor at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business, has published in leading management and psychology journals, including the Journal of Applied Psychology, Academy of Management Review, Psychological Bulletin, and Journal of Management. Her current research interests include creativity, emotion, stress, and diversity. She currently serves as associate editor of the Academy of Management Review, the field’s top-ranked academic publication. Her research has been featured in BusinessWeek, New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and many other newspapers and magazines in the United States and abroad.

Hosted jointly by Organizational Behavior and Design & Innovation

Contact Information:
Lila Robinson
Dept. Administrator, Organizational Behavior
ler6@case.edu
216-368-2055