Multiple foci of commitment and employee silence: A role theory perspective

Voice enhances whereas employee silence compromises organizational effectiveness and efficiency. We assert that individuals with different foci of commitment vary in their conceptualization of voice behaviors as integral to their roles, which in turn, influences voice behaviors. Integrating silence and voice literatures under the overarching framework of role theory, we investigated the mediating role of voice role conceptualization in the relationship between multiple foci of commitment and employee silence and whether this mediation was moderated by perceptions of organizational politics. Data collected from 437 working adults from United States and China were used to test our moderated mediation model. Results indicated support for mediation and moderated mediation for the team commitment and silence relationship through its impact on voice role conceptualization, controlling for career commitment, and organizational commitment. We discuss implications of results for theory and practice, and offer suggestions for future research.

The psychology behind Sialkot tragedy

Objective: This paper analyzes the Sialkot tragedy which had happened in Sialkot, Pakistan in 2010 in which two innocent brothers were lynched in broad daylight and in front of hundreds of people including policemen, thus committing sin of violence, and cruelty. Method: Archival research was done to explore two important questions; what had led to the killing of those innocent boys and why didn’t anyone do anything to stop it? Result: Detailed analyses of the case revealed the following causal elements with significant role; conceptualization of self and that of the other, semantic framing and stereotypic labeling, psychological distancing, rationalization, obedience to authority, deindividuation, and evil as inaction. Conclusion: It is important to note that these factors need not be antecedently conditional or necessary for the prevalence of malignant behaviors but helps to understand their impact under negative circumstances.Keywords: violence; cruelty; malignant behavior

The Identification and Influence of Social Roles in a Social Media Product Community

This research focuses on the identification of social roles and an investigation of their influence in online context. Relying on a systemic approach for role conceptualization, we investigate member's activity, shared content and position in the network within a consumer to consumer social media-based community (SMC) around a product. This investigation led to the identification of ten core roles, based on three key elements: object of interest (product, practice, and community), main contribution type (sharing information and seeking information), individual orientation (factual, emotional). We propose an explanation about how these roles, through their positioning, participate in the community dynamics and how they contribute to the creation and diffusion of cookery as a social practice, shaping the periphery around this practice.