Faculty & Research
The Importance of Behavioral Integrity in a Multicultural Workplace
Vol 8 No 17
By: Tony Simons Ph.D., Ray Friedman Ph.D., Leigh A. Liu Ph.D., and Judi McLean Parks Ph.D.
Executive Summary: The notion of “behavioral integrity” describes the extent to which one person perceives that another lives by his or her word, keeps promises, and lives by professed values. Effective management leadership depends on how employees perceive their manager's behavior on these points, because this drives credibility. Since most managers are neither saints nor demons, employees judge their managers’ integrity by interpreting a mixed set of managerial actions and behavior. This study examines how different employee groups might understand and react differently to cues about their manager’s consistency. We surveyed 1,944 employees at 107 hotels and found that the observer’s race affects his or her perceptions of behavioral integrity. African American employees in this study were especially sensitive to violations and affirmations of behavioral integrity. Moreover, African American employees scored their African American managers more harshly than they did their non-African American managers. The study also found that senior managers’ integrity trickles down to affect behavior and attitudes throughout the organization. These results suggest a need for executive training and vigilance focused on the issue of behavioral integrity, because managers’ integrity affects the attitudes, conduct, and loyalty of all employees.
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- The Importance of Behavioral Integrity in a Multicultural Workplace By: Tony Simons Ph.D., Ray Friedman Ph.D., Leigh A. Liu Ph.D., and Judi McLean Parks Ph.D.
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Other Reports or Articles You May Find of Interest
- Questioning Conventional Wisdom: Is a Happy Employee a Good Employee, or Do Other Attitudes Matter More?, by Michael Sturman and Sean A. Way
- The Truth about Integrity Tests: The Validity and Utility of Integrity Testing for the Hospitality Industry, by Michael Sturman and David Sherwyn
- Why Trust Matters in Top Management Teams: Keeping Conflict Constructive, by Tony Simons and Randall Peterson
About Tony Simons Ph.D.
Associate Professor Tony Simons teaches organizational behavior, negotiation and leadership. His research examines trust – employee trust in leaders, executive team member trust, and trust in supply chain relationships. In particular, Simons has focused on how well people are seen as keeping their word – delivering on their promises and living espoused values. This simple perception has huge practical consequence and is very challenging to maintain impeccably. His research and consulting work supports managers in meeting this challenge. He speaks, trains, consults and designs surveys for organizations both within and beyond the hospitality industry.
For more information visit http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/research/facultybios/faculty.html?id=74
