Differences in Information Seeking Among Organizational Peers: Perceptions of Appropriateness, Importance, and Frequency. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Myers, Scott A.; Cranmer, Gregory A.; Goldman, Zachary W.; Sollitto, Michael; Gillen, Hailey G.; Ball, Hannah
• Is Part Of: International journal of business communication. Volume 55:Number 1(2018:Jan.)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: organizational peers -- information seeking -- information acquisition; Business communication -- Periodicals; 658.45
• DOI: 10.1177/2329488415573928
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2329-4884

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the differences that may exist among employees when they are seeking different types of information (i.e., technical, referent, social, appraisal, normative, organizational, and political) from their peers in the workplace. Specifically, this study examined whether employees differed in the perceived appropriateness, importance, and frequency of seeking information from information, collegial, and special peers. Participants were 229 working adults who completed one of three versions (reporting on an information peer, a collegial peer, or a special peer) of a survey packet containing a series of measures. Results indicate that employees generally report that they seek information from special peers rather than from collegial peers or information peers.