Trust and distrust: Polar opposites, or independent but co-existing?

This article provides an empirical test of whether trust and distrust can co-exist in the mind of an employee. Two interrelated questions are considered: firstly, whether trust and distrust judgements are ‘symmetrical’ or whether they can occur ‘simultaneously’ as separate constructs; and, secondly, whether trust and distrust judgements entail the same or conceptually different expectations as revealed in their expressions and anticipated manifestations. Using a concurrent mixed-method design incorporating a structured card sort and in-depth interviews, data were collected from 56 participants in two organizations. The card-sort findings offer little support for the co-existence of trust and distrust, but suggest they could be separate constructs. Interview data indicate that participants do perceive trust and distrust as entailing different sets of expectations and having different manifestations, providing some support for the ‘separate constructs’ thesis. We also find evidence of two new combinations of weak levels of trust and distrust not previously specified. The findings highlight how employees’ trust and distrust judgements are shaped, in part, by managerial actions and policies relating to quality of communication and job security. They also emphasize how, when employees are distrustful, different practice interventions may be needed to reduce distrust from those used to build trust

Forced employment contract change and the psychological contract

Purpose: To explore the implications for all employees’ psychological contracts of a forced change from permanent to temporary employment status for some employees within an organisation. Methodology/Approach: A random sample of 30 employees, stratified by employment status was selected. Each employee undertook a structured card sort of possible emotional responses to change followed by an in-depth interview to explore and explain their categorisation of these responses. Findings: The nature of psychological contracts and organisational attachments for both permanent employees and forced temporary workers is complex. Permanent employees generally continue to exhibit relational forms of attachment to the organisation. These, they believe, are reciprocated by the organisation. Reactions from forced temporary workers are more varied. After a period of denial, some develop a more calculative approach to their interactions. Others maintain aspects of their previously developed relational attachments. Only some temporary workers appear to recognise that their future direction is no longer a concern of the organisation. Research limitations/implications: Although only based upon one organisation, the findings suggest that the process of psychological contract adjustment is likely to emerge through gradual re-interpretation, rather than through re-negotiation. Practical implications: Management actions need to be recognised as important in re-defining the nature of psychological contracts. The transitional nature of this process may be prolonged where management imposes transactional contracts and where communication and negotiation to create clear expectations is lacking. Originality/value of paper: The findings provide new insights into the implications of forcing employees from permanent to temporary contracts for their, and remaining permanent employees’, psychological contracts.</p

The meanings, consequences and implications of the management of downsizing and redundancy: A review

Review paper which draws together the various theoretical and disciplinary strands used in the literature to evaluate downsizing and redundancy. Defines downsizing and redundancy within the organisational context. Explores complexity of the relationships with performance and effectiveness at both organisation and sub‐organisation levels. Evaluates downsizing strategies and implementation methods that organisations may use. Utilises the individual perspective to examine and discuss the consequences of downsizing relative to survivors. Considers the implications of this for managers. Relates theories of equity, organisational justice, job insecurity, job redesign and organisational stress to approaches which may mitigate negative responses to downsizing that impact on organisations’ performance and effectiveness.</jats:p

Organisational justice, trust and the management of change: An exploration

This paper explores employees’ trust as a reaction to the management of change using the constructs of organisational justice. Following a review of organisational justice theory in relation to trust and change, employees’ reactions are considered using a case study of a UK public sector organisation. Drawing on 28 in-depth interviews with employees, the nature of trust is explored. Little difference is found between trusting and mistrustful employees’ perceptions of distributive justice. Supporting earlier findings regarding the relationship between procedural justice and trust, the research also reveals the distinct importance of fairness of treatment (interactional justice) in enabling trust

What if line managers don't realize they're responsible for HR?: Lessons from an organization experiencing rapid change

Explores the implications arising from the complete devolvement of human resource responsibilities within an organization to line managers. Reviews the changing role for line managers through the literature related to the adoption of HRM. Uses theories by Guest and by Storey as a framework to examine the success of completely devolving the human resources function to line managers within a medium‐sized private sector company. Uses data collected through a questionnaire, a card sort and in‐depth interviews from a sample of 51 employees to evaluate this framework. Data indicate that the promotion of a soft HRM approach was being displaced by a harder, piecemeal, resource‐based approach. Analyses the need for human resource specialists based on the case study data. Argues that the absence of an identified top management role which includes personnel had a negative impact on the organization’s ability to achieve strategic integration in the management of human resources. Relates this to further negative consequences in relation to commitment to the organization, flexibility and quality.</jats:p

Organisational justice, trust and the management of change: An exploration

This paper explores employees’ trust as a reaction to the management of change using the constructs of organisational justice. Following a review of organisational justice theory in relation to trust and change, employees’ reactions are considered using a case study of a UK public sector organisation. Drawing on 28 in-depth interviews with employees, the nature of trust is explored. Little difference is found between trusting and mistrustful employees’ perceptions of distributive justice. Supporting earlier findings regarding the relationship between procedural justice and trust, the research also reveals the distinct importance of fairness of treatment (interactional justice) in enabling trust

Family breakdown: Developing an explanatory theory of reward system change

Analyses the introduction and first three years of the operation of a new reward system in a financial services organisation. The purpose of the study was to develop an explanatory theory associated with reward system change effectiveness. Following a description of the organisation and its operational context, analyses the new reward system, together with an examination of the specific objectives the organisation's managers hoped it would achieve. Provides an explanation of the methods employed to collect and analyse the data. The main part of the paper comprises an analysis of these data, which provides evidence that the system was not meeting its objectives. Subsequently uses the literature on reward theory and organisational behaviour to help explain the reasons for such apparent ineffectiveness. Concludes by suggesting a tentative theory of reward system change effectiveness

Downsizing, delayering - But where's the commitment?: The development of a diagnostic tool to help manage survivors

Considers the pursuit of high quality, flexibility and employee commitment alongside significant downsizing and delayering initiatives. Examines the impact on surviving employees in downsized and delayered organizations. Proposes that organizations need to be more mindful than they have been in the past of survivor responses and issues. Contends that the espoused aim of many organizations to achieve employee commitment may be dependent largely on the degree of success with which organizations overcome survivor responses which are negatively oriented towards them. Explores the scope for organizational action to address issues which the workforce believes are important, suggesting that this should help organizations to engender positive survivor responses and organizational commitment. Reports how findings from qualitative research have been used to develop a diagnostic tool to help organizations assess their own ability to manage these factors and to influence survivor commitment. Discusses the use and validity of this tool. Concludes by emphasizing the need for organizations to be aware of and to respond to these issues and their effects. Highlights the importance of developing the strategy to rebuild survivors’ commitment over a longer term.</jats:p