A business frame perspective on why perceptions of top management's bottom-line mentality result in employees’ good and bad behaviors

Emerging research suggests that bottom-line mentalities (BLMs) (i.e., a sole focus on bottom-line outcomes to the exclusion of other considerations) can have dysfunctional consequences within the workplace. However, research has yet to consider how and why BLMs may result in both beneficial and dysfunctional organizational outcomes. In the present research, we examine employees’ perceptions of top management's BLM as a type of business frame that results in two cognitive states. Under the influence of this business frame, employees may adopt a mental preoccupation with work (i.e., a state of ongoing work-related cognitions) that propels beneficial employee outcomes by reducing customer incivility and enhancing customer service performance. Yet, also in response to top management's high BLM as a business frame, employees may adopt self-interest cognitions (i.e., a cognitive state of self-interest) that instigate customer-directed unethical conduct. Across two field studies, we found general support for our hypotheses. Taken together, our findings suggest that perceptions of top management's high BLM can be a mixed blessing in that it may drive employees to adopt focused work efforts (mental preoccupation with work), but also self-interest cognitions, with each cognitive state predicting beneficial or dysfunctional behaviors. We discuss the implications of these findings and directions for future research.     

Exploring the Use of an Integrative and Ecological Framework When Treating Children with Trauma

ABSTRACT

Children’s clinical symptoms can often only be understood within their individual and family contexts. However, contemporary research has pointed to the importance of also working with children’s social identities and macrosystem environment when attempting to understand and treat clinical problems. The case of a 10-year-old Dominican-American girl who presented with a significant trauma history, oppositional behavior, and difficulties interacting with her peers is examined using a developmental ecological framework. Attachment theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and multicultural family systems therapy, with a focus on trauma responses, are integrated when exploring the case. Additionally, the benefits of exploring the influence of social identities (race, ethnicity, immigration status/perceived immigration status, and class) are explored via an approach that focus on transformation and healing from oppressive systems by integrating sociopolitical realities in therapy.