Can we talk? Why employees fail to report negative events to their managers
Career Development International
ISSN: 1362-0436
Article publication date: 15 September 2021
Issue publication date: 14 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to understand why and under what conditions employees are likely to partake in a particular type of silence, known as the Hierarchical MUM Effect (HME). This phenomenon occurs when subordinates are reluctant to share bad news with their supervisors, which can lead to deleterious outcomes in organizations due to a lack of communication. The authors also seek to find which conditions minimize HME.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors surveyed employees in a large healthcare organization across three weeks. The authors analyzed their results using the SPSS PROCESS macro.
Findings
The authors’ findings suggest one way to minimize a lack of upward communication is to empower employees, via a high-quality LMX relationship, and move away from a bottom-line mentality focus. Employees who are empowered show lower instances of withholding information via HME. A low bottom-line mentality enhanced this relationship.
Originality/value
The authors expand understanding of antecedents to a particular type of silence, the HME, defined as purposefully withholding information from a supervisor or sharing information in a way that silences the dirty details of a situation (i.e. equivocating). Although a wealth of research examines the deleterious consequences of a high BLM, the authors highlight the positive work outcomes associated with a low BLM.
Keywords
Citation
Scrimpshire, A.J., Lensges, M.L., Webster, B.D. and Crosby, D.H. (2021), "Can we talk? Why employees fail to report negative events to their managers", Career Development International, Vol. 26 No. 6, pp. 749-765. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-03-2021-0083
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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