A Regulatory Focus Theory Perspective on the Dynamics Between Action and Power

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Fatimah, Shereen; Lee, Hun Whee; Ferris, D. Lance; Young, Henry R.
• 署名单位: Singapore Management University; University System of Ohio; Ohio State University; University of Ottawa; Michigan State University; Michigan State University's Broad College of Business
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0021-9010
• DOI: 10.1037/apl0001198
• 发表日期: 2024
• 页码: 1397-1407
• 关键词: psychological power; promotive voice; PROHIBITIVE VOICE; REGULATORY FOCUS THEORY

摘要

Building on the strong consensus that the experience of power motivates individuals to take action, prior research postulates a positively reinforcing cycle wherein taking action leads to power, which in turn leads to subsequent actions. Applying regulatory focus theory, we differentiate between promotion-oriented and prevention-oriented actions to develop a within-person theory of when and why promotion-oriented and prevention-oriented actions should relate to power, and vice-versa. Across two studies, we find that when employees engaged in promotive voice behaviors, they were more likely to experience a sense of power; this effect was amplified for employees with trait promotion focus. When employees engaged in prohibitive voice behaviors, employees with trait prevention focus were less likely to experience a sense of power. The experience of power subsequently motivated employees to engage in promotive voice behaviors, but not prohibitive voice behaviors. By elucidating the differences between promotion and prevention pathways of action and power, our research challenges the notion that action and power positively reinforce each other. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.