Publications

Article

Competition and Social Identity in the Workplace: Evidence from a Chinese Textile Firm

By: Takao Kato and Pian Shu

We study the impact of social identity on worker competition by exploiting the well-documented social divide between urban resident workers and rural migrant workers in urban Chinese firms. We analyze data on weekly output, individual characteristics, and coworker... View Details

Keywords: Social Identity; Coworker Effect; Productivity; Relative Performance Incentive; Intergroup Competition; Competition; Groups and Teams; Performance Productivity; Identity

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July 2021
Article

Structuring Local Environments to Avoid Diversity: Anxiety Drives Whites' Geographical and Institutional Self-Segregation Preferences

By: Eric Anicich, Jon M. Jachimowicz, Merrick Osborne and L. Taylor Phillips

The current research explores how local racial diversity affects Whites’ efforts to structure their local communities to avoid incidental intergroup contact. In two experimental studies (N=509; Studies 1a-b), we consider Whites’ choices to structure a fictional,... View Details

Keywords: Segregration; Structural/institutional Racism; Organizational Exclusion; Diversity; Race; Organizations; Local Range; Prejudice and Bias

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Lumumba Seegars is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration in the Organizational Behavior Unit at Harvard Business School. He teaches the Leadership and Organizational Behavior course (LEAD) in the MBA Required Curriculum.

Professor Seegars... View Details

2008
Article

Warmth and Competence As Universal Dimensions of Social Perception: The Stereotype Content Model and the BIAS Map

By: A. J.C. Cuddy, S. T. Fiske and P. Glick

The stereotype content model (SCM) defines two fundamental dimensions of social perception, warmth and competence, predicted respectively by perceived competition and status. Combinations of warmth and competence generate distinct emotions of admiration, contempt,... View Details

Keywords: Perception; Competency and Skills; Prejudice and Bias; Emotions; Business Model; Behavior; Research; Competition; Status and Position; Cognition and Thinking; Groups and Teams

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Research Summary

Overview

By: Lumumba B. Seegars

Lumumba Seegars explores the reproduction and contestation of intergroup inequality within organizations. View Details

Keywords: Race; Gender; Income

12 Dec 2019
Research & Ideas

How to Turn Down the Boil on Group Conflict

Even as polarized political discussion appears to have frozen the possibility of compromise, new research suggests that divided sides can come together on many issues to make decisions. “Our research finds that inaccurate beliefs really drive behavior and contribute to... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding

Forthcoming
Article

Reducing Prejudice with Counter-stereotypical AI

By: Erik Hermann, Julian De Freitas and Stefano Puntoni

Based on a review of relevant literature, we propose that the proliferation of AI with human-like and social features presents an unprecedented opportunity to address the underlying cognitive and affective drivers of prejudice. An approach informed by the psychology of... View Details

Keywords: Prejudice and Bias; AI and Machine Learning; Interpersonal Communication; Social and Collaborative Networks

September 1978 (Revised November 1979)
Background Note

Some Aspects of Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution in Management Groups

Provides a brief overview of the strengths and weaknesses of group problem solving and suggests criteria for when to use a group. Also, describes the three primary modes of conflict resolution (smoothing and avoidance; bargaining and forcing, problem solving) and... View Details

Keywords: Conflict Management; Groups and Teams

April 1974 (Revised June 1983)
Case

Robert F. Kennedy High School

By: John J. Gabarro

Presents the problem facing a newly appointed high school principal. Raises issues about interpersonal and group behavior including lack of open conflict resolution and the need to intervene in an interpersonal conflict. Also raises the issue of intergroup conflict... View Details

Keywords: Interpersonal Communication; Secondary Education; Employee Relationship Management; Organizational Structure; Behavior; Conflict Management; System

August 1975 (Revised July 1993)
Case

Acton-Burnett, Inc.

By: John J. Gabarro

Describes the formation, selection, and experience of a task force with multidepartmental membership. The problems faced by the task force leader at the end of the case raise issues of who does the selection; the establishment of group norms, values, and goals; the... View Details

Keywords: Employees; Leadership; Problems and Challenges; Groups and Teams; Conflict Management

17 Oct 2024
Video

Behind the Research: Lumumba Seegars

2005
Chapter

Fundamentals for a World-Class Leadership Programme

Meaningful leadership development needs to incorporate emotional and often unconscious aspects of human behavior. This chapter describes a leadership program designed to provide opportunities to learn, in-depth and through personal experience, about the exercise of... View Details

Keywords: Learning; Leadership Development; Personal Development and Career; Groups and Teams; Behavior; Emotions

Article

Design Physical and Digital Spaces to Foster Inclusion

By: Eric Anicich, Jon M. Jachimowicz, Merrick Osborne and L. Taylor Phillips

Often, strategies around making organizations more anti-racist focus on changing hearts and minds. Sometimes this isn’t enough, however, and can result in backlash or increased self-segregation among white employees. In these situations, leaders should consider using... View Details

Keywords: Anti-racism; Inclusion; Work Environment; Organizational Culture; Diversity; Change Management

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July 1993 (Revised October 2004)
Case

Aston-Blair, Inc.

By: John J. Gabarro

Describes the formation, selection, and experience of a task force with multidepartmental membership. The problems faced by the task force leader at the end of the case raise issues of who does the selection; the establishment of group norms, values, and goals; the... View Details

Keywords: Employees; Leadership; Problems and Challenges; Groups and Teams; Conflict Management

2023
Working Paper

Emotion Regulation Contagion

By: Michael Pinus, Eran Halperin, Yajun Cao, Alin Coman, James Gross and Amit Goldenberg

In intergroup conflicts, emotion regulation interventions can decrease negative intergroup emotions and increase support for concessions. However, it is usually infeasible to provide emotion regulation interventions to everyone in a population of interest. This raises... View Details

Keywords: Groups and Teams; Emotions; Conflict and Resolution

04 Jun 2020
News

Coronavirus Is Going to Tear Your Office in Two

November 1993
Case

Thurgood Marshall High School

By: John J. Gabarro

Presents the problem facing a newly appointed high-school principal. Raises issues about interpersonal and group behavior including lack of open conflict resolution and the need to intervene in an interpersonal conflict. Also raises the issue of intergroup conflict... View Details

Keywords: Problems and Challenges; Conflict and Resolution; Employee Relationship Management; Secondary Education; Groups and Teams; Education Industry