Ray Gibney

The Negative Aspects of Social Exchange: An Introduction to Perceived Organizational Obstruction

The authors introduce the concept of perceived organizational obstruction (POO) to fill a theoretical gap in the social exchange literature. They draw on four different samples of employees working in various organizations to: (a) generate items to measure POO, (b) assess the psychometric properties of the POO scale, (c) replicate the factor structure and other psychometric properties of the scale, (d) assess the discriminant validity with respect to existing measures of the employer—employee relationship, and (e) determine whether POO explains additional variance beyond existing constructs (perceived organizational support, psycholosgical contract breach, organizational politics, procedural justice, and organizational frustration) in the exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect framework. The results of this study indicate that the POO scale is internally consistent and unidimensional, demonstrates discriminant validity with respect to existing employer— employee relationship constructs, and explains additional variance in the exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect framework.

Effects of the physical work environment on the creation of individual‐ and group‐level social capital

Purpose – The aim of this article is to examine how office designs influence social capital or the value inherent in relationships. More specifically, this article attempts to better understand the level to which the value of social capital accrues, either to the individual or to the group.Design/methodology/approach – The authors review theoretical and empirical research on the physical work environment and social capital to develop propositions that relate the effects of open office environments on the development of group‐ and individual‐level social capital.Findings – It is argued that an open‐office environment, defined as an office design that attempts to maximize functional communication among organization members by removing physical barriers that hinder the flow of work and communications, can positively affect the development of social capital within an organization. Specifically, it is suggested that open office designs will foster the development of group‐level social capital (i.e. social capi...

Union Members’ Usage of IT

An important issue in assessing the potential benefits of information technology (IT) as a tool for increasing labor’s effectiveness is union members’ use of IT. Using 2003 Current Population Survey data, we examine the union members’ IT and Internet usage at home and work. We find that union members are more intense users of IT at work than nonunionized employees and that high-intensity IT users constitute about one-third of the union sample.

Is union political action compatible with organizing? some preliminary evidence

Unions face serious challenges, which raise questions about organizational priorities. An issue important to the recent breakup of the AFLCIO is the priority given political action vis-a-vis organizing. We examine competing theoretical perspectives on the potential relationship between union political action and organizing effectiveness. We present evidence on the scope of union political spending and conduct a preliminary analysis of its correlation with organizing. Our results indicate a negative relationship, but we urge a cautious interpretation. Theory raises substantial doubts about political activity as a motivation for joining a union. We urge more research.