Attachments in the workplace: How attachment security in the workplace benefits the organisation

In four studies, we tested if workplace secure attachment entails organisational benefits, given that such relationships are associated with increased positive relationship emotions. In Study 1, employees rated the extent to which colleagues, supervisors, and other individuals fulfil the attachment...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of social psychology 2020-08, Vol.50 (5), p.1046-1064
Main Authors: Luke, Michelle A., Carnelley, Katherine B., Sedikides, Constantine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attachment
attitudes
Colleagues
Deviance
Emotions
Employees
organisational behaviour
relationships
Security
Studies
Supervisors
Workplaces
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Summary:In four studies, we tested if workplace secure attachment entails organisational benefits, given that such relationships are associated with increased positive relationship emotions. In Study 1, employees rated the extent to which colleagues, supervisors, and other individuals fulfil the attachment functions. In Study 2, employees listed up to 10 individuals before completing the same rating task as Study 1. In the remaining studies, employees rated their attachment security with their supervisors (Study 3) or colleagues (Study 4), and completed measures of positive relationship emotions with these individuals, proactive behaviour, organisational allure, and organisational deviance. We found that supervisors and colleagues fulfil attachment functions (Studies 1–2), and that workplace attachment security confers organisational allure and proactive behaviour due to its association with positive relationships emotions. However, workplace attachment security directly lowers organisational deviance (Studies 3–4). Thus, supportive and trusting work environments may encourage workplace relationships that could bestow organisational benefits.
ISSN:0046-2772
1099-0992
DOI:10.1002/ejsp.2652