Can interpersonal competition be constructive within organizations?
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
The Journal of Psychology : Interdisciplinary and Applied
Publication Date
1-1-2003
Volume
137
Issue
1
First Page
63
Last Page
84
Keywords
Competition, Constructive competition, Cooperation, Social interdependence
Abstract
An empirical analysis was conducted on the conditions under which competition can be constructive. The participants were 64 managers and 28 employees from organizations in mainland China. They were asked to describe specific incidents of competition between them and their fellow employees and rate on a 7-point Likert-type scale the conditions that they perceived affected the outcomes. The incidents could involve either a physical activity or an intellectual task or both. Results showed that the variables related to constructive competition included the fairness of the rules, the motivation to win, having an advantage that enhanced one's chances of winning, a strong positive relationship among competitors, and a history of confirming each other's competence. By controlling these factors, the constructiveness of competition may be enhanced.
DOI
10.1080/00223980309600600
Print ISSN
00223980
E-ISSN
19401019
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2003 Taylor & Francis
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Tjosvold, D., Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T., & Sun, H. (2003). Can interpersonal competition be constructive within organizations? Journal of Psychology, 137(1), 63-84. doi: 10.1080/00223980309600600