Attachments in the workplace: how attachment security in the workplace benefits the organisation
Attachments in the workplace: how attachment security in the workplace benefits the organisation
In four studies, we tested if workplace secure attachment entails organisational benefits, given that such relationships are associated with increased positive relationship emotions. In Study 1, employees rated the extent to which colleagues, supervisors, and other individuals fulfil the attachment functions. In Study 2, employees listed up to 10 individuals before completing the same rating task as Study 1. In the remaining studies, employees rated their attachment security with their supervisors (Study 3) or colleagues (Study 4), and completed measures of positive relationship emotions with these individuals, proactive behaviour, organisational allure, and organisational deviance. We found that supervisors and colleagues fulfil attachment functions (Studies 1–2), and that workplace attachment security confers organisational allure and proactive behaviour due to its association with positive relationships emotions. However, workplace attachment security directly lowers organisational deviance (Studies 3–4). Thus, supportive and trusting work environments may encourage workplace relationships that could bestow organisational benefits.
relationships, attachment, emotions, attitudes, organisational behaviour
1046-1064
Luke, Michelle A.
219bc6a8-8d7f-4b0f-a17f-f0255e173118
Carnelley, Katherine B.
02a55020-a0bc-480e-a0ff-c8fe56ee9c36
Sedikides, Constantine
9d45e66d-75bb-44de-87d7-21fd553812c2
1 August 2020
Luke, Michelle A.
219bc6a8-8d7f-4b0f-a17f-f0255e173118
Carnelley, Katherine B.
02a55020-a0bc-480e-a0ff-c8fe56ee9c36
Sedikides, Constantine
9d45e66d-75bb-44de-87d7-21fd553812c2
Luke, Michelle A., Carnelley, Katherine B. and Sedikides, Constantine
(2020)
Attachments in the workplace: how attachment security in the workplace benefits the organisation.
European Journal of Social Psychology, 50 (5), , [ejsp.2652].
(doi:10.1002/ejsp.2652).
Abstract
In four studies, we tested if workplace secure attachment entails organisational benefits, given that such relationships are associated with increased positive relationship emotions. In Study 1, employees rated the extent to which colleagues, supervisors, and other individuals fulfil the attachment functions. In Study 2, employees listed up to 10 individuals before completing the same rating task as Study 1. In the remaining studies, employees rated their attachment security with their supervisors (Study 3) or colleagues (Study 4), and completed measures of positive relationship emotions with these individuals, proactive behaviour, organisational allure, and organisational deviance. We found that supervisors and colleagues fulfil attachment functions (Studies 1–2), and that workplace attachment security confers organisational allure and proactive behaviour due to its association with positive relationships emotions. However, workplace attachment security directly lowers organisational deviance (Studies 3–4). Thus, supportive and trusting work environments may encourage workplace relationships that could bestow organisational benefits.
Text
EJSP Revised Final
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 6 December 2019
e-pub ahead of print date: 28 January 2020
Published date: 1 August 2020
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
We thank Kate Cavanagh, Erica Hepper, and Angela Rowe for their helpful input on previous versions of this manuscript.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keywords:
relationships, attachment, emotions, attitudes, organisational behaviour
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 436363
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/436363
ISSN: 0046-2772
PURE UUID: e9c11760-f156-4c1f-ad53-15770181c9af
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Date deposited: 09 Dec 2019 17:30
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 05:07
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Author:
Michelle A. Luke
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