How do you see my work unit or work role? Psychological and behavioral reactions to localized stigma perceptions
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Scholars have noted that stigma may uniquely exist within a narrower, specific context, even if it is not prevalent in broader society. Yet, both theoretical and empirical examinations of this phenomenon remain largely absent. My research introduces the concept of localized stigma perceptions, defined as the belief that one is stigmatized by coworkers within the organization but does not necessarily extend beyond it. I conceptually distinguish between perceived unit stigma--the belief that one's work unit is stigmatized by employees in other units--and perceived role stigma--the belief that one's work role is stigmatized by coworkers within the same unit. In doing so, I build on the social identity perspective to propose that localized stigma perceptions have differential effects on psychological identification with the work unit and the organization, respectively. I further develop a moderated mediation model in which localized stigma perceptions, moderated by perceived internal mobility, have indirect effects on behavioral outcomes (i.e., informal leadership, upward voice, OCB-I, OCB-O, and taking charge) through theorized identification. Results from three studies using experimental designs and survey provided limited support for my hypotheses. Yet, my research offers novel insights into how scope-specific stigma perceptions can have divergent effects on one's social identification process at work. I discuss theoretical implications for the literature on stigma. Keywords: Localized stigma; unit stigma; role stigma; perceived mobility; identification; informal leadership; voice; OCB; taking charge.
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Ph. D.