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Publication The effect of leader and follower personality on work processes : analysing the influence of humility and narcissism(2018) Helfrich, Hannah; Steidle, AnnaIn the past few years, the interest in the constructs of humility and narcissism has been increasing because of unhumble manager behaviour and the appearance of Donald Trump. Consequently, researchers have been investigating the influence of leader’s and followers’ humility and narcissism in the work context. Nevertheless, previous research used self-reports of humility and did not consider facets of narcissism, thus presenting drawbacks of earlier studies. Keeping this in mind, the dissertation focuses on these two personality traits and examines their effect on the leader-follower interaction and follower performance. The leader-follower interaction is assessed by the leadership behaviour perceived by the followers and relationship conflict between the leader and the follower. With regard to follower performance, the focus is on followers’ extra-role behaviour including follower voice behaviour and Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB). In Chapter 2, the influence of leader’s implicit humility on leadership behaviour is investigated. The humility measurement paradox describes that humble people do not indicate their humbleness when asked directly and vice versa. Therefore, an Implicit Association Test (IAT) of humility is developed to assess a leader’s true humility. The results from a multi-source multi-wave field study with 250 leader-follower dyads show that implicit leader humility predicts humble leadership behaviour, abusive supervision and followers’ trust in leader, whereas explicit (i.e., self-reported) humility does not. These findings show that measurement aspects are of critical importance when assessing personality characteristics such as humility that might be prone to socially desirable responding. Therefore, the use of an IAT of humility might present a solution to the humility measurement paradox by avoiding problems associated with the use of explicit measures of humility. The results also suggest that genuine humility is a valuable personality trait of a leader. Personality traits such as extraversion and dominance have been associated with an effective leader in the past. These findings, however, point to the leader’s humility as a valuable trait of a leader. Chapter 3 focuses on follower narcissism and its influence on follower empowerment and follower voice behaviour, which describes the expression of constructive challenge in order to improve rather than to criticise. Based on the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Concept, two facets of narcissism are assessed. Narcissistic rivalry represents the dark side of narcissism. Contrary to that, narcissistic admiration describes the bright side of narcissism. In a multi-source multi-wave field study with 268 leader-follower dyads, follower narcissistic rivalry negatively influences follower empowerment and in turn voice, whereas narcissistic admiration has a positive effect. Moreover, two moderators, leaders’ implicit followership theories and followers’ promotion focus are examined. When leaders have a positive view towards their followers and think that their followers are in general productive and loyal, the negative effect of follower narcissistic rivalry on empowerment is attenuated. Similarly, this effect is also damped when the follower has a high promotion focus. The analysis of follower narcissism reveals that a sophisticated point of view is necessary when investigating the influence of follower narcissism on work outcomes. The results show that narcissism should not be considered globally. Instead, the differentiation of facets seems reasonable to identify both negative and positive effects of narcissism that are present. Chapter 4 deals with the question what might happen if both leaders and followers are high on narcissism. Again, different facets of narcissism are considered. The interaction of leader and follower narcissism is considered in the prediction of relationship conflict and OCB, which is a behaviour beneficial for an organization and not explicitly described in the formal job description. In a multi-source field study with 104 leader-follower dyads, follower narcissistic rivalry positively predicts relationship conflict and in turn negatively affects OCB, whereas follower narcissistic admiration did not lead to conflict and OCB. The Narcissistic Leaders and Dominance Complementarity Model (Grijalva & Harms, 2014) argues that submissive followers are on good terms with narcissistic (dominant) leaders. Based on this complementarity, it was suggested that narcissistic followers should not get along with their narcissistic leaders when both of them are high on narcissistic rivalry. The results showed that if both leader and follower are high on narcissistic rivalry, relationship conflict is strengthened. Other combinations of leaders’ and followers’ narcissistic facets do not enhance relationship conflict.Publication Organisations- und Führungskultur als Vorbedingung für Veränderungsmanagement am Beispiel des Shopfloor-Managements(2018) Yavuz, Özkan; Pfeiffer, SabineBusinesses are at a crossroads between demographic, technological, economic, and social developments that lead to significant organizational challenges. In addition, companies not only operate in the domestic market, but are also largely exposed to international conditions. From the companys point of view, not only quality requirements are important factors, but also the ability to innovate. To meet these high standards, companies must have qualified specialists(Fischer et al. 2013, S. 57). Economic structural change, in particular the transformation of the present work society, is a special form of social change and is thus characterized by a certain relationship between structure and process, statics and dynamics. In production companies, concepts for lean management since the beginning of the 1980s have been discussed, focusing primarily on increasing productivity, reducing costs and general process optimization. Based on Japanese production methods of the automotive industry, new ways of organizing work have been developed, which not only involve employee involvement, but also that they independently deal with problem situations (Frerichs 2014, S. 15; Peters 2009, S. 15). The development stages range from the "Continuous Improvement Process" (CIP) to the Lean Enterprise, from the continuous improvement of individual processes to the ability of self-organization in companies. In this context, one speaks of integrated production systems, since not only individual company processes are changed, but also the management organization is included in the considerations. Nonetheless, one major point of criticism in the context of the optimization of production processes is that so far - as a significant aspect - the management system has received too little attention (Suzaki 2010, pp. 5 et seq., Peters 2009. Shopfloor Management (SFM) starts at this point. As a tool for change, it helps to "consistently and sustainably develop and optimize processes and processes at the place of added value" (Peters 2009, p. 11). Only a corresponding, dynamic organizational culture can ensure the sustainability of this change process (see Sackmann 2004, pp. 26-30). Organizations therefore face particular challenges, especially in terms of organizational and leadership culture. These massive changes in external and internal conditions place new demands on leadership, because general standard solutions are not very useful for a more complex work environment "(Steinkellner 2006, p. 88). In order to be able to handle this complexity, new management tools are needed that no longer see complexity as a flaw that one tries to get rid of by trivialization, routineization and bureaucratization (Steinkellner 2006, p. 88). In order to handle this complexity, new leadership tools are needed that no longer see complexity as a blemish trying to get rid of through trivialization, routineization and bureaucratization (Steinkellner 2006, p. 88). These circumstances result in complex challenges for companies that are far from having all the answers. The extent to which shopfloor management can contribute to optimizing the corporate and management culture and is able to increase the production efficiency of a company should be examined in this dissertation.Publication With all my senses : restorative environments through holistic sensory impressions(2017) Sona, Brid; Steidle, AnnaGrowing awareness of psychological health problems is resulting in various research areas exploring new approaches to fostering personal resources. Restorative Environments Theory (RET) has shown that mundane natural environments support personal resources. Although other restorative environments may exist besides mundane natural environments, their systematic examination is still lacking. In the real world, users experience environments through all their senses. However, most of the recovery research focuses on investigation of single sensory impressions. Thus, concrete insights into how various ambient qualities of an environment may affect users’ perception are still needed. The main aim of this doctoral thesis is to enhance the existing theoretical framework of restorative environments and to give an overview of research while pointing out where more research is needed. Further, the thesis includes identification of restorative environments and their specific ambient qualities. Based on the explored environments, the present research will point out psychological pathways to obtain recommendations for the design of restorative environments. The first research project was an explorative study to identify restorative places and their ambient qualities. In accordance with restoration research, participants described natural outdoor environments which they sought for recovery. In addition, they described indoor environments. Depending on the type of depletion and the environmental setting, specific environments and ambient qualities were evaluated as more important for the restorative potential of the place than others. This explorative research supports theory building and enables creation of restorative environments through holistic sensory impressions. Finally, strengths, limitations and practical implications for designing and improving restorative environments are discussed. The second research project takes up the findings of the first project by simulating sensory-enriched break environments. Based on the impact of holistic sensory impressions, this project is one of the first to reveal the impact of the recovery process of simulated environments on personal resources through congruent sensory impressions. Analyses confirmed that sensory-enriched environments were perceived as more pleasant and more restorative than less enriched environments, which in turn facilitated the recovery of personal resources. The results point out the relevance of holistic sensory impressions to fostering recovery. Implications and limitations of sensory enrichment in break environments are discussed. To broaden generalizability, the third research project comprises three field experiments investigating recovery during break interventions which offered virtual restorative environments with differing degrees of immersion and different types of environments. Building on previous research (Grimshaw, 2014), the third project posited that a higher degree of immersion in the simulated environment increases perceived realism, which becomes apparent in higher positive perceptions and recovery outcomes. Moreover, environments with different degrees of stimulation were anticipated to evoke distinct successful recovery. Previous research had mainly focused on calming environments for recovery. Additionally, this project also tested whether stimulating environments promote recovery outcomes. Results mainly confirmed the proposed hypotheses. The relevance of immersion and the impact of different types of natural environments on recovery are discussed. Overall, the current research emphasizes the impact of holistic sensory impressions in enhancing positive perceptions of the environment and, consequently, various recovery outcomes. The conducted studies uncover the psychological pathway from the processes of sensory perception to environmental recovery perception, followed by recovery outcomes. Beside these theoretical insights, the current research delivers concrete recommendations for designing restorative (virtual) environments in the workplace.Publication Arbeitswelt: Digital – Belastung: Real? : Der erlebte Wandel der Arbeitswelt innerhalb der IT-Branche aus Sicht der Arbeitnehmer(2017) Walz, Fabienne; Wagner, Lea; Adelhelm, Ann-Sophie; Bathelt, Melanie; Bathelt, Mirjam; Bürkin, Bettina; Klein, Sascha; Straub, SabrinaPublication Turning the spotlight on the role of light and colors in offices: How are performance, social interactions, and social perception affected?(2016) Kombeiz, Olga; Steidle, AnnaPrevious research has shown that light influences psychological functioning and subsequent performance, perception, and behavior in the work context. However, an overarching model of the impact of light on psychological processes and work-related outcomes is still lacking. The current doctoral thesis introduces an overall framework that explains the effects of light in the work context. Thus, the present research attempts to clarify the effects of artificial lighting on individual performance (i.e., creativity), social interaction (i.e., collaboration in negotiations), and social perception (i.e., person perception), and to uncover the mediating psychological processes and possible moderators. Building on different theories explaining the effects of the physical environment on psychological processes and work-related outcomes, as well as based on previous research, the thesis brings new insight into this topic. The first research project focused on clarifying the effects of light on conflict resolution. Building on research of light-induced cooperativeness, it was expected that self-oriented individuals would be influenced by the light in social situations. The results of two laboratory experiments confirmed that dim warm light promoted situative interdependent self-construal in self-oriented individuals, and, in turn, enhanced the preference for collaborative conflict resolution. These results contribute to the understanding of light-induced changes in social behavior. Limitations as well as practical implications for lighting design in social spaces are discussed. The second research project addressed the question of how light influences one’s judgment of others. Based on the notion of environmentally induced positive affect, the present study proposed that pleasant light induces satisfaction with light, which in turn leads to positive judgments of other persons. The results confirmed that satisfaction with light was higher in three pleasant lighting conditions than in an unpleasant one, which in turn positively influenced the judgments of competence and warmth. Moreover, the explorative analyses showed that the positive effect of pleasant light on satisfaction with light only emerged for male participants. Theoretical contributions to lighting psychology and to the previous inconsistent findings of the role of sex in the affective consequences of light, and practical implications concerning the design of settings involving the evaluation of other individuals are discussed. The third research project aimed at clarifying the motivational consequences of artificial light and its effects on creative performance. Previous research indicated that individuals automatically evaluate the room’s atmosphere. These automatic appraisals evoke concomitant appetitive (e.g., promotion focus) or aversive (e.g., prevention focus) motivation and, in turn, may impact work performance. Based on this idea, we expected that red and blue (vs. white) accent lighting, which creates a pleasant and friendly room atmosphere, would elicit the strategic approach motivation and, in turn, promote creativity. The results of an experimental study confirmed our assumptions. Implications for future research on color and light, and practical implications are discussed. Overall, these results provide insight into the effects of light on cognitive, affective, and motivational processes, and consequently, on work-related outcomes. The three research projects contribute to a deeper understanding of which psychological processes are activated in which situation, and what role is played by the individual differences. In addition to the theoretical contributions, the present findings show that optimal ambient conditions represent support for a set of competencies on the individual and organizational levels, such as promoting collaborative conflict styles or creativity.Publication Vom Glauben, Berge versetzen zu können : subjektive Beurteilung von Medienqualität und Selbstwirksamkeit als Wegbereiter politischen Wissens(2016) Schmitt, Josephine B.; Trepte, SabineThe Internet has become a significant source for political information especially for younger generations. However, the evaluation and selection of relevant information becomes increasingly difficult as a growing number of diverse sources and content are available. Based on this observation, the present study aims to get to the bottom of the questions (1) how adolescents navigate through the vast amount of available information on the Internet (i.e., evaluation and selection of information sources) and (2) how they acquire political knowledge. More precisely the study analyzes which psychological factors contribute to adolescents’ political learning from online information sources and how these processes may be supported by media literacy programs in school. The book draws from and connects different lines of existing theoretical and empirical research: studies on perceived information quality (Wolling, 2009), social-cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986; Niemi, Craig, & Mattei, 1991) as well as research from learning psychology (e.g., Salomon, 1984). I propose that perceived information quality, media self-efficacy, internal political efficacy, and political knowledge should be understood as consecutively linked. To address the mentioned questions, I conducted a three-wave panel study with adolescents (9th to 13th grade). Moreover, a subsample participated in a media literacy intervention that took part before the second wave. Results demonstrate that perceived information quality of online news sources influences media self-efficacy, which, in turn, is related to internal political efficacy. Furthermore, internal political efficacy is being shown to positively influence political knowledge. Perceived information quality engenders trust in an individual’s media-related and political abilities, which leads to a more successful processing of political information among young adults. However, results regarding the effectiveness of the media literacy intervention are mixed. I found no direct effect of the media literacy intervention, nevertheless, a significant improvement in knowledge of the experimental group may indicate some indirect effects. All in all, these findings underline the importance of analyzing not only news media exposure but also perceived information quality as a predictor of political knowledge. Moreover, the results shed some light on the mediating role of media self-efficacy and political efficacy in the context of political knowledge acquisition. It can be concluded that not only exposure to qualitatively good sources for political information leads to an increase in political knowledge but also giving young adults the feeling that they are using sources of high quality.Publication Berufsbezogene Kreativitätsdiagnostik : Entwicklung und Validierung eines Verfahrens zur Erfassung der personalen Voraussetzungen von Innovationen(2015) Palmer, Carolin; Schuler, HeinzResearchers and economists agree about the importance of creativity for both, individual and organizational success. Nonetheless, creativity is a enigmatic term. Despite promising findings for the predictive power of creativity, its nomological network remains still quite vague. Cognitive abilities, personality traits and motivational dispositions are commonly associated with creativity. In this thesis theories of creativity are reflected and constructs related to creativity and innovation (e.g., intelligence, personality, and motivation) are discussed. Further on common methods for the assessment of creativity are presented and new approaches for measuring creativity in an work-related context are provided. Finally, the development and validation of an instrument measuring the personal prerequisites for innovation is described.Publication Implizite Untiefen - Hypnotische Trance als Instrument der qualitativen Marktforschung(2014) Keil, Tobias; Brettschneider, FrankA contribution to the discipline of psychological qualitative market research and implicit brand management. Demonstration of the theoretical background and the practical application of the CONSUMER RESEARCH TRANCE, a technique to analyze consumer motifs whitout having their conscious mind interfere with their verbal reports.Publication Das Ernährungsverhalten als Schauplatz latenter Werthaltungen(2012) Wolf, Anne Alice; Buß, EugenThis thesis answers the question, how social values actively help to make food decisions. It shows that values make a big contribution towards explaining food habits. Apparent food habits can therefore be interpreted as manifestation of latent values. In order to answer the central research question, this thesis consists of four parts ? the first three parts build the theoretical base for the later empirical study. The first two parts describe the actual nutritional situation in Germany, and they show what nutritional trends actually can be observed there. The third part describes the status quo of sociological value research. Finally, the central research question is to be answered within the context of the empirical study ? a qualitative analysis of an online community. Therefore, the selected approach is a netnography.