Studying Intergroup Relations in Organizations.
Abstract
Research in organizational behavior includes a significant conflict between some studies that focus on the 'micro' processes of individual and small group behavior and others that address the 'macro' dynamics of organization-environment relations. Partially split between these two styles of research, the field lacks a theoretical framework and methodological procedure for dealing with multi-level phenomena and the tensions among levels of analysis. This paper presents theory of intergroup relations in organizations that deals with multilevel phenomena, derives methodological procedures for conducting intergroup research with organizations from the theory, reports data from two empirical studies pertaining to task group relations along a workflow and race relations among black and white managers, and formulates the concept of embedded intergroups to explain the phenomena uncovered in both studies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 10, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA079907
Entities
People
- Clayton Alderfer
- Ken K. Smith
Organizations
- Yale University