Better understanding the perceptions of organizational politics: its impact under different types of work unit structure. Issue 2 (4th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Fu
• Is Part Of: European journal of work and organizational psychology. Volume 26:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 250
• Page End: 262
• Publication Date: 2017-03-04
• Subjects: Perceptions of organizational politics -- job performance -- work unit structure -- taking charge -- uncertainty management theory; Psychology, Industrial -- Periodicals; Organizational behavior -- Periodicals; Personnel management -- Europe -- Periodicals; Work -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Psychology, Industrial -- Periodicals; Work -- psychology -- Periodicals; 158.7
• DOI: 10.1080/1359432X.2016.1251417
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-432X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Research has uncovered inconsistent results regarding the influence of the perceptions of organizational politics (POP) on employee job performance, suggesting the existence of boundary conditions for such an influence. Drawing from uncertainty management theory, we investigated the interaction effect of POP and work unit structure on job performance, and examined the mediating role of taking charge. We tested the theoretical model with data gathered across three phases over 6 months from 577 individuals and their supervisors in 133 work units. Results showed that when the unit operated an organic structure, POP was significantly negatively related to job performance. In contrast, results demonstrated that when the unit operated a mechanistic structure, POP was significantly positively related to job performance. Furthermore, the results of the mediated moderation analysis revealed that POP was negatively associated with job performance through taking charge in an organic structure, and the indirect effect disappeared in a mechanistic structure.