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Workplace Competition and the Desire for Uniqueness

By: Samantha N. Smith, Edward H. Chang, Erika L. Kirgios and Katherine L. Milkman
  • Language:English
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Abstract

Across four preregistered studies (n=3,202), we find that intra-group competition increases people’s willingness to join groups where they will be underrepresented along a given identity dimension (e.g., area of specialization, political affiliation). Via mediation and moderation, we show that desires for uniqueness help explain competition’s effects on people’s group selection preferences. These findings illuminate how competition drives desires for uniqueness in organizations, with implications for understanding when people’s fundamental needs for belonging versus needs for uniqueness prevail in group selection decisions.

Keywords

Groups and Teams; Motivation and Incentives; Organizational Culture

Citation

Smith, Samantha N., Edward H. Chang, Erika L. Kirgios, and Katherine L. Milkman. "Workplace Competition and the Desire for Uniqueness." In Work. Paper presented at the Society for Judgment and Decision Making Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2022.

About The Author

Edward H. Chang

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets
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