On numerous occasions it has been suggested that an individual’s self-esteem, formed around work and organizational experiences, plays a significant role in determining employee motivation, work-related attitudes and behaviors. We review more than a decade of research on an organization-based conceptualization of self-esteem. It is observed that sources of organization structure, signals about worth from the organization, as well as, success-building role conditions predict organization-based self-esteem. In addition, organization-based self-esteem is related to job satisfaction, organizational commitment, motivation, citizenship behavior, in-role performance, and turnover intentions, as well as, other important organization-related attitudes and behaviors. Explanations for these effects and directions for future research are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Abbott, J. B. 2000. An investigation of the relationship between job characteristics, job satisfaction, and team commitment as influenced by organization-based self-esteem within a team-based environment. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of North Texas, Denton.
2.
Aryee, S., Budhwar, P., & Tan, H. H. 2003. Leader–member exchange and contextual performance: An examination of the mediating influence of organization-based self-esteem. A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Management, Seattle, August.
3.
Aryee, S., Chay, Y. W., & Chew, J.1996. The motivation to mentor among managerial employees: An interactionist approach. Group and Organization Management, 21: 261–277.
4.
Aryee, S., & Luk, V.1996. Work and nonwork influences on the career satisfaction of dual-earner couples. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 49: 38–51.
5.
Bandura, A.1997. Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.
6.
Bandura, A.1982. Self-efficacy mechanism in human agency. American Psychologist, 37: 122–147.
7.
Baumeister, R. F.1999. The self in social psychology. Philadelphia: Psychology Press.
8.
Baumeister, R. F., Smart, L., & Boden, J.1996. Relation of threatened egotism to violence and aggression: The dark side of self-esteem. Psychological Review, 103: 5–33.
9.
Berger, C. B., & Cummings, L. L.1979. Organization structure, attitudes, and behavior. In B. M. Staw (Ed.), Research in organizational behavior: 169–208. Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
10.
Borycki, C., Thorn, R. G., & LeMaster, J.1998. Job satisfaction and organizational commitment: A comparison of United States and Mexico employees. International Journal of Commerce and Management, 8: 7–25.
11.
Bowden, T.2002. An investigation into psychological predictors of work family conflict and turnover intention in an organizational context. Working Paper, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
12.
Brockner, J.1988. Self-esteem at work: Theory, research, and practice. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
13.
Brockner, J., Heuer, L., Siegel, P. A., Wiesenfeld, B., Martin, C., Grover, S., et al. 1998. The moderating effect of self-esteem in reaction to voice: Converging evidence from five studies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 75: 394–407.
14.
Brookover, W. B., Thomas, S., & Paterson, A.1964. Self-concept of ability of school achievement. Sociology of Education, 37: 271–278.
15.
Brutus, S., Ruderman, M. N., Ohlott, P. J., & McCauley, C. D.2000. Developing from job experiences: The role of organization-based self-esteem. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 11(4): 367–380.
16.
Campbell, J. D.1990. Self-esteem and clarity of the self-concept. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59: 538–549.
17.
Carson, K. D., Carson, P. P., Lanford, H., & Roe, C. W.1997. The effects of organization-based self-esteem on workplace outcomes: An examination of emergency medical technicians. Public Personnel Management, 26(1): 139–155.
18.
Carson, K. D., Carson, P. P., Yallapragada, R., Langford, H., & Roe, W.1998. Emergency medical technicians: Is career satisfaction within their control?Hospital Topics: Research and Perspectives on Healthcare, 76(1): 15–19.
19.
Chattopadhyay, P.1999. Beyond direct and symmetrical effects: The influence of demographic dissimilarity on organizational citizenship behavior. Academy of Management Journal, 42: 273–287.
20.
Chattopadhyay, P.2003. Can dissimilarity lead to positive outcomes? The influence of open versus closed minds. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 24: 205–312.
21.
Chattopadhyay, P., & George, E.2001. Examining the effects of work externalization through the lens of social identity theory. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86: 781–788.
22.
Coopersmith, S.1967. The antecedents of self-esteem. San Francisco: Freeman.
23.
Covin, T. J., Kolenko, T. A., Sightler, K. W., & Tudor, R. K. 1992. Correlates of organization-based self-esteem. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southern Management Association, New Orleans, LA.
24.
Dipboye, R. L.1977. A critical review of Korman’s self-consistency theory of work motivation and occupational choice. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 18: 108–126.
25.
Eagly, A. H.1967. Involvement as a determainant of response to favorable and unfavorable information. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 7(3): 643–643.
26.
Elloy, D. F., & Randolph, A.1997. The effect of superleader behavior on autonomous work groups in a government operated railway service. Public Personnel Management, 26(2): 257–272.
27.
Edwards, J. R.2003.Construct validation in organizationalbehaviorresearch.In J.Greenberg (Ed.), Organizational behavior: The state of the science (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
28.
Erez, M., & Judge, T. A.2001. Relationship of core self-evaluations to goal setting motivation and performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86: 1270–1279.
29.
Franks, D. D., & Marolla, J.1976. Efficacious action and social approval as interacting dimensions of self-esteem: A tentative formulation through construct validation. Sociometry, 39: 4324–4341.
30.
Gardner, D. G., & Pierce, J. L.1998. Self-esteem and self-efficacy within the organizational context. Group and Organization Management, 23(1): 48–70.
31.
Gardner, D. G., & Pierce, J. L.2001. Self-esteem and self-efficacy within the organizational context: A replication. Journal of Management Systems, 13(4): 31–48.
32.
Gardner, D. G., Pierce, J. L., Van Dyne, L., & Cummings, L. L.2000. Relationships between pay level, employee stock ownership, self-esteem and performance. Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management Proceedings, Sydney, Australia.
33.
Heck, A. K., Bedeian, A. G., & Day, D. V. (in press). Mountains out of molehills? Tests of the mediating effects of self-esteem in predicting work place complaining. Journal of Applied Social Psychology.
34.
Holdnak, B. J., Clemons, T. C., & Bushardt, S. C.1990. Evaluation of organization training by the Solomon Four Group Design: A field study in self-esteem training. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 5(5): 25–32.
35.
Hsu, M. H., & Kuo, F. Y.2003. The effect of organization-based self-esteem on deindividuation in protecting personal information privacy. Journal of Business Ethics, 42: 305–320.
36.
Hui, C., & Lee, C.2000. Moderating effects of organization-based self-esteem on the relationship between perception of organizational uncertainty and employee response. Journal of Management, 26(2): 215–232.
37.
Jex, S. M., & Elacqua, T. C.1999. Self-esteem as a moderator: A comparison of global and organization-based measures. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 72: 71–81.
38.
Judge, T. A., & Bono, J. E.2001. Relationship of core self-evaluation traits – self-esteem, generalized self-efficacy, locus of control, and emotional stability – with job satisfaction and job performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86: 80–92.
39.
Kark, R., & Shamir, B.2002. Untangling the relationships between transformational leadership and followers’ identification, dependence and empowerment. Working paper, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
40.
Kark, R., Shamir, B., & Chen, G.2003. The two faces of transformational leadership: Empowerment and dependency. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88: 246–255.
41.
Korman, A. K.1966. Self-esteem variable in vocational choice. Journal of Applied Psychology, 50: 479–486.
42.
Korman, A. K.1970. Toward an hypothesis of work behavior. Journal of Applied Psychology, 54: 31–41.
43.
Korman, A. K.1971. Organizational achievement, aggression and creativity: Some suggestions toward an integrated theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 6: 593–613.
44.
Korman, A. K.1976. Hypothesis of work behavior revisited and an extension. Academy of Management Review, 1: 50–63.
45.
Korman, A. K.2001. Self-enhancement and self-protection: Toward a theory of work motivation. In M. Erez, U. Kleinbeck, & H. Thierry (Eds.), Work motivation in the context of a globalizing economy: 121–130. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
46.
Kostova, T., Latham, M. E., Cummings, L. L., & Hollingworth, D.1997. Organization-based self-esteem: Theoretical and empirical analyses of mediated and moderated effects on organizational commitment. Working paper, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
47.
Lee, J.2003a. An analysis of organization-based self-esteem as a mediator of the relationship between its antecedents and consequences. The Korean Personnel Administration Journal, 27(2): 25–50.
48.
Lee, J.2003b. An analysis of the antecedents of organization-based self-esteem in two Korean banks. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 14: 1046–1066.
49.
Locke, E. A.1976. The nature and causes of job satisfaction. In M. D. Dunnette (Ed.), Handbook of industrial and orgaizational psychology: 1297–1350. Chicago: Rand-McNally.
50.
Madzar, S.2001. Subordinates’ information inquiry: Exploring the effect of perceived leadership style and individual differences. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 74: 221–232.
51.
Marion-Landais, C. A.2000. Dyadic agreement about ideal leadership behaviors and its relationship to job satisfaction and performance. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 60(8-B): 4283–4283.
52.
Matheson, N. K., & Sterns, H. L.1991. Influence of organization-based self-esteem on satisfaction and commitment. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, St. Louis, MO.
53.
McAllister, D. J., & Bigley, G. A.2002. Work context and the (re)definition of self: How organizational care influences organization-based self-esteem. Academy of Management Journal, 45: 894–904.
54.
McEvoy, G. M.1997. Organizational change and outdoor management education. Human Resource Management, 36: 235–250.
55.
McEvoy, G. M., Cragun, J. R., & Appleby, M.1997. Using outdoor training to develop and accomplish organizational vision. Human Resource Planning, 20(3): 20–31.
56.
Milkovich, G., & Milkovich, C.1992. Strengthening the pay-performance relationship: The research. Compensation and Benefits Review, 24(6): 53–62.
57.
Mullen, E. J.1998. Vocational and psychosocial mentoring functions: Identifying mentors who serve both. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 9(4): 319–331.
58.
Neal, B. J.2000. Role conflict, role ambiguity and organization-based self-esteem among park ranger professionals. Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences, 60(10-A): 3794–3794.
59.
Pelham, B. W., & Swann, W. B., Jr.1989. From self-conceptions to self-worth: On the sources and structure of global self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57: 672–680.
60.
Phillips, G. M. 2000. Perceived organizational support: An extended model of the mediating and moderating effects of self-structures. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.
61.
Phillips, G. M., & Hall, R. J. 2001. Perceived organizational support: The mediating role of self-structures. Presented at the annual conference of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, San Diego, CA.
62.
Pierce, J. L. 1997. Self within the employee ownership context. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Administrative Science Association of Canada, St. Johns, Newfoundland.
63.
Pierce, J. L., Gardner, D. G., Cummings, L. L., & Dunham, R. B.1989. Organization-based self-esteem: Construct definition measurement and validation. Academy of Management Journal, 32: 622–648.
64.
Pierce, J. L., Gardner, D. G., Dunham, R. B., & Cummings, L. L.1993. The moderating effects of organization-based self-esteem on role condition-employee response relationships. Academy of Management Journal, 36: 271–288.
65.
Pierce, J. L., & Rodgers, L. in press. The psychology of ownership and worker-owner productivity. Group and Organization Management.
66.
Proenca, E. J.1999. Employee reactions to managed health care. Management Review, 24(2): 57–70.
67.
Ragins, B. R., & Cornwell, J. M.2001. Pink triangles: Antecedents and consequences of perceived workplace discrimination against gay and lesbian employees. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86:1244–1261.
68.
Ragins, B. R., Cotton, J. L., & Miller, J. S.2000. Marginal mentoring: The effects of type of mentor, quality of relationship, and program design on work and career attitudes. Academy of Management Journal, 43: 1177–1194.
69.
Riordan, C. M., Weatherly, E. W., Vandenberg, R. J., & Self, R. M.2001. The effects of pre-entry experiences and socialization tactics on newcomer attitudes and turnover. Journal of Managerial Issues, 13(2): 159–177.
70.
Riordan, C. M., & Vandenberg, R. J.1994. A central question in cross-cultural research: Do employees of different cultures interpret work-related measures in an equivalent manner?Journal of Management, 20(3): 643–671.
71.
Rosenberg, M.1965. Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
72.
Rosenberg, M., Schooler, C., Schoenbach, C., & Rosenberg, F.1995. Global self-esteem and specific self-esteem: Different concepts, different outcomes. American Sociological Review, 60: 141–156.
73.
Schwab, D. P.1980. Construct validity in organizational behavior. In L. L. Cummings & B. M. Staw (Eds.), Research in organizational behavior. Greenwhich, CT: JAI Press.
74.
Sedikides, C., Gaertner, L., & Toguchi, Y.2003. Pancultural: Self-enhancement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84: 60–97.
75.
Shamir, B., & Kark, R.2004. A single-item graphic scale for the measurement of organizational identification. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 77: 115–123.
76.
Shavelson, R. J., Hubner, J. J., & Stanton, G. C.1976. Self-concept: Validation of construct interpretations. Review of Educational Research, 46: 407–441.
77.
Simpson, C. K., & Boyle, D.1975. Esteem construct generality and academic performance. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 35: 897–904.
78.
Singer, M. G., & Tang, T. L.1996. Factors related to perceived organizational instrumentality. Collective Negotiations, 25(3): 271–286.
79.
Staehle-Moody, C. M.1998. Adaptation to organizational change: A study of middle managers’ coping styles and their correlates. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 59(5-B): 2471–2471.
80.
Stark, E., Thomas, L. T., & Poppler, P. 2000. Psychological disposition and job satisfaction under varying conditions of organizational change: Relevance and meaning from survivors and walking wounded. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Academy of Management, Kona, Hawaii.
81.
Swann, W. B., Griffin, J. J., Predmore, S., & Gaines, B.1987. The cognitive-affective crossfire: When self-consistency confronts self-enhancement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52: 881–889.
82.
Tan, G. Y., & Peng, K. Y.1997. Antecedents of organization-based self-esteem: An empirical study in Singapore. International Journal of Management, 14(3): 375–386.
83.
Tang, T. L., Davis, G. M., Dolinski, D., Ibrahim, A. H. S., Sutarso, T., Wagner, S. L., et al. 2002. Money attitude, organization-based self-esteem, public other-serving and private self-serving motives, and OCB-altruism: The USA, Taiwan, Poland, and Egypt. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Management, Denver.
84.
Tang, T. L., & Gilbert, P. R.1994. Organization-based self-esteem among mental health workers: A replication and extension. Public Personnel Management, 23(1): 127–134.
85.
Tang, T. L., & Ibrahim, A.H. S.1998.Antecedents of organizational citizen ship behavior revisited:Publicpersonnel in the United States and in the Middle East. Public Personnel Management, 27(4): 529–549.
86.
Tang, T. L., Kim, J. K., & O’Donald, D. A.2000. Perceptions of Japanese organizational culture: Employees in non-unionized Japanese-owned and unionized US-owned automobile plants. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 15(6): 535–559.
87.
Tang, T. L., Singer, M. G., & Roberts, S.2000. Employees’ perceived organizational instrumentality: An examination of the gender differences. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 15(5): 378–406.
88.
Tannenbaum, A. S.1983. Employee-owned companies. In L. L. Cummings & B. M. Staw (Eds.), Research in organizational behavior: 238–268. Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
89.
Taylor, P. J., & Pierce, J. L.1999. Effects of introducing a performance management system on employees’ subsequent attitudes and effort. Public Personnel Management, 28(3): 423–452.
90.
Van Dyne, L., Earley, P. C., & Cummings, L. L. 1990. Diagnostic and impression management: Feedback seeking behavior as a function of self-esteem and self-efficacy. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Miami Beach, Florida.
91.
Van Dyne, L., & Pierce, J. L.2004. Psychological ownership and feelings of possession: three field studies predicting employee attitudes and organizational citizenship behavior. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 25: 439–459.
92.
Van Dyne, L., & Pierce, J. L.2003. Psychological ownership: Feelings of possession and workplace attitudes and behavior. Working paper, Eli Broad School of Management, Michigan State University.
93.
Van Dyne, L., VandeWalle, D., Kostova, T., & Cummings, L. L.2000. Collectivism, propensity to trust and self-esteem as predictors of organizational citizenship in a non-work setting. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 21: 3–23.
94.
Vecchio, R. P.2000. Negative emotion in the workplace: Employee jealousy and envy. International Journal of Stress Management, 7(3): 161–179.
95.
Wei, G. T. Y., & Albright, R. R.1998. Correlates of organization-based self-esteem: An empirical study of U.S. Coast Guard Cadets. International Journal of Management, 15: 218–225.
96.
Wiesenfeld, B. M., Brockner, J., & Thibault, V.2000. Procedural fairness, managers’ self-esteem, and managerial behaviors following a layoff. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 83: 1–32.
97.
Wylie, R. C.1979. The self-concept: Theory and Research on Selected Topics: Vol. 2. University of Nebraska: Lincoln.
98.
Yoder, J. D., & Aniakudo, P.1996. When pranks become harassment: The case of African American women firefighters. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 35: 253–271.
99.
Yoder, J. D., & McDonald, T. W.1997. The generalizability and construct validity of the modern sexism scale: Some cautionary notes. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 36: 655–663.
100.
Yoder, J. D., & McDonald, T. W.1998. Measuring sexist discrimination in the workplace. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 22: 487–491.
