Pamela Perrewé - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Pamela Perrewé

Research paper thumbnail of Organizational Politics and Stress: The Development of a Process Model

Research paper thumbnail of The AAA (appraisals, attributions, adaptation) model of job stress

Organizational Psychology Review, 2014

The AAA model is presented as an integrative conceptualization of workplace stress that combines ... more The AAA model is presented as an integrative conceptualization of workplace stress that combines research from multiple models and theories to account for the numerous complexities that employees experience when cognitively evaluating organizational demands. The proposed model examines the effects of employees’ organizational stressors on the cognitive appraisal process and describes how employees’ emotions and self-regulation affect individual coping behaviors, adaptation, and learning from stressful experiences. Practitioner applications, theoretical contributions, and directions for future research are presented.

Research paper thumbnail of From Combat to Khakis: An Examination of Job Stress with Veterans

Academy of Management Proceedings, 2014

Veterans are transitioning out of the military and into the civilian workforce at an unprecedente... more Veterans are transitioning out of the military and into the civilian workforce at an unprecedented rate. The experienced stress associated with this transition, Veteran Transitioning Stress (VeTS),...

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Work Passion on Personal and Organizational Outcomes

Academy of Management Proceedings, 2013

Although employee passion has both scholarly and practical merit, there is very little theory and... more Although employee passion has both scholarly and practical merit, there is very little theory and research in this area of scientific inquiry. In an effort to address this lack of scholarship, a tw...

Research paper thumbnail of Examination of the interpersonal predictors of mentoring relational quality

Career Development International, 2014

Purpose– A continued focus in organizational research has been on career development, and mentori... more Purpose– A continued focus in organizational research has been on career development, and mentoring has been identified as a key determinant of career success. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the interpersonal dynamics which contribute to variations in the effectiveness of mentoring support behaviors. Specifically, the effects of mentoring relational quality (MRQ) (i.e. affective perceptions held by mentors and protégés) on mentoring behaviors (i.e. vocational and psychosocial) as well as professional identification are considered. Interpersonal skills (e.g. behavioral integrity and political skill) of mentors and protégés are examined for their impact on MRQ.Design/methodology/approach– Utilizing matched dyadic survey data from 100 mentor-protégé pairs in academe (i.e. dissertation chairs and doctoral candidates or recent doctoral alumni), partial least squares was used to test the research model.Findings– Results support MRQ as an integral component in mentoring dynamics....

Research paper thumbnail of Personality research in the organizational sciences

Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management

... J. Barling, F. Slater, EK Kelloway (2000), "Transformational leadership ... more ... J. Barling, F. Slater, EK Kelloway (2000), "Transformational leadership and emotional intelligence: An exploratory study", Leadership & Organization ... Emotional expression and implications for occupational stress: An application of the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ ...

Research paper thumbnail of Stoner Perrewe Hofacker

Research paper thumbnail of A Critical Review and Synthesis of Student-Athlete College Choice Factors: Recruiting Effectiveness in NCAA Sports

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 2014

The sport and education literatures are replete with studies about what factors influence student... more The sport and education literatures are replete with studies about what factors influence student-athletes' college choice decisions. Although numerous factors have been identified, how these criteria come to influence student-athlete decisions has not been fully addressed. Warranting attention is the recruitment process undertaken by schools, especially as it pertains to the role of recruiters (coaches). Based on the sport and management literature, we develop a conceptual model illustrating the fit between recruits and recruiters. This model introduces the reputation/information framework [1] and a social influence approach to NCAA sports recruitment, while also expanding upon previous college choice factor research. In our model, we propose that socially effective recruiters will be better able to identify relevant college choice factors, consolidate this information into recruitment influence strategies, and communicate these strategies by using influence tactics in order to...

Research paper thumbnail of Locus of Control and Task Complexity in Perceptions of Job Dimensions

Psychological Reports, 1987

In the present study was examined the effects of locus of control and task complexity on percepti... more In the present study was examined the effects of locus of control and task complexity on perceptions of task characteristics by 110 business undergraduates. Individuals with an internal locus of control perceived more skill variety, task significance, autonomy, and feedback than individuals with an external locus of control when working on a complex task. It is argued that external scorers are less responsive to environmental cues under conditions of high task complexity.

Research paper thumbnail of The Fallout from Abusive Supervision: An Examination of Subordinates and Their Partners

Personnel Psychology, 2011

Using spillover and crossover theory, we examined how subordinate's experience of abusive supervi... more Using spillover and crossover theory, we examined how subordinate's experience of abusive supervision impacts both subordinate's and partner's family domains. Specifically, a model was proposed and tested that examined the fallout from abusive supervision through 2 types of strain, work-to-family conflict and relationship tension, on family satisfaction of the subordinate and on family functioning of the partner. Using a matched set of 280 subordinates and partners, this study found that abusive supervision contributes to the experience of work-to-family conflict and relationship tension. Further, family satisfaction for the subordinate and family functioning for the partner were diminished through the experience of relationship tension. Interestingly, although the experience of work-to-family conflict contributed to relationship tension, it did not directly impact the family outcomes. We discuss the study's implications for theory, research, and practice while suggesting new research directions. Abusive supervision (i.e., a form of nonphysical aggression) has been shown to result in a variety of stress-related outcomes for victims (Keashly, Hunter, & Harvey, 1997; Tepper, 2000) including negative attitudes and psychological distress (Tepper, 2007). Specifically, abusive supervision has been defined as "subordinates' perceptions of the extent to which We thank Bennett Tepper, Gerald Ferris, and two anonymous reviewers for their help revising this manuscript. This research was conducted with support from the Texas A&M Mays Business School Mini-Grant Program.

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Music on Perceptions of Task Characteristics

Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1987

The present study examined music as a means to enhance task perceptions. The study was a 2 (compl... more The present study examined music as a means to enhance task perceptions. The study was a 2 (complex task vs simple task) × 2 (music vs no music) experimental design in which 110 undergraduates participated. Both main and moderating effects were examined. Results suggest that music does not affect perceptions of task characteristics.

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of job demands and behavioral control on experienced job stress

Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1989

Summary The present study examines the impact of behavioral control on the experience of work str... more Summary The present study examines the impact of behavioral control on the experience of work strain under conditions of work overload. Extending experimental laboratory findings that suggest that control can lessen the impact of aversive stimuli on psychological and ...

Research paper thumbnail of An experimental examination of implicit stress theory

Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1993

... PAMELA L. PERREWE, DENISE ROTONDO FERNANDEZ AND KAREN S. MORTON Deportment of Management, Col... more ... PAMELA L. PERREWE, DENISE ROTONDO FERNANDEZ AND KAREN S. MORTON Deportment of Management, College of Business, Florida State ... and its relationship to job performance has recently received increased attention (Westman and Eden, 1991; Jamal, 1984,1985 ...

Research paper thumbnail of Implicit Stress Theory: An experimental examination of subjective performance information on employee evaluations

Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1995

... Page 2. 354 DR FERNANDEZ AND PL PERREWfi ... Essentially, their findings suggest that the man... more ... Page 2. 354 DR FERNANDEZ AND PL PERREWfi ... Essentially, their findings suggest that the manager cannot possibly be performing well if working in a high-stressor job environment because high stress is associated with lower performance (Jamal, 1984). ...

Research paper thumbnail of An examination of beliefs about older workers: Do stereotypes still exist?

Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1995

Abstract This study examined individuals' beliefs about older workers. Of pa... more Abstract This study examined individuals' beliefs about older workers. Of particular interest was the relationship between those beliefs and individuals'(a) interactions with older workers,(b) supervisory status, and (c) demographic variables. Findings indicated that ...

Research paper thumbnail of Strain reactions to perceived entitlement behavior by others as a contextual stressor: Moderating role of political skill in three samples

Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2010

Observing others entitlement behavior can create a stressful work context fraught with accompanyi... more Observing others entitlement behavior can create a stressful work context fraught with accompanying strain consequences. The present investigation examined the interactive effects of perceived entitlement behavior by others and political skill on job tension in three samples (N ϭ 440, 167, and 140, respectively) designed to establish a consistent pattern of results. Specifically, perceived entitlement behavior by others was hypothesized to predict heightened levels of job tension in the absence of political skill. Conversely, for those with high levels of political skill, perceived entitlement behavior by others was predicted to demonstrate little relationship with job tension. Across samples, hypothesized relationships received support, as political skill was found to be a significant moderator of the perceived entitlement behavior by others-job tension relationship. Scholarly and practical implications, strengths and limitations, and future research directions are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of The interactive effects of positive affect and conscientiousness on strain

Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2006

The purpose of our study was to more fully investigate a combination of personal resources, namel... more The purpose of our study was to more fully investigate a combination of personal resources, namely positive affect (PA) and conscientiousness, on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and job tension. We examined a sample of nurses employed by a metropolitan hospital and found that the combination of high positive affect and high levels of conscientiousness was associated with lower levels of all strain variables. Our findings suggested that conscientiousness strengthened the negative relationship between PA and job strain. Our results were consistent with the view that some dispositions can act as resources protecting individuals from experienced stress. Implications of these results, strengths and limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Accountability for others, perceived resources, and well being: Convergent restricted non-linear results in two samples

Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 2010

... Correspondence: Kelly L. Zellars,. *Correspondence: Correspondence should be addressed to Kel... more ... Correspondence: Kelly L. Zellars,. *Correspondence: Correspondence should be addressed to Kelly L. Zellars, Department ... Job satisfaction. We measured job satisfaction (α= .87 in Sample 1; α= .90 in Sample 2) using a five-item sub-scale of Brayfield and Rothe's (1951) index. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Politics Understanding and Networking Ability as a Function of Mentoring

Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 2007

Some have suggested that mentoring in organizations tends to focus on “learning the ropes,” or un... more Some have suggested that mentoring in organizations tends to focus on “learning the ropes,” or understanding organizational politics. This process is believed to result in building greater political skill and networking ability. The authors examined the relationships among mentoring, politics understanding, and networking ability. It was proposed that individuals experiencing the mentoring process would report higher levels of knowledge regarding understanding organizational politics, leading to greater networking ability. Specifically, the hypothesis that politics understanding mediated the relationship between mentoring and networking ability was tested with mediation analysis. The results provided strong support for the hypothesized relationship, demonstrating full mediation. Two additional hypotheses proposed a test of the “political skill deficiency” hypothesis, that the mediated relationships between mentoring, politics understanding, and networking ability would be moderated ...

Research paper thumbnail of Coping With a Career Plateau: An Empirical Examination of What Works and What Doesn't1

Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 2000

This study examines the relationships between coping responses and organizational outcomes for ca... more This study examines the relationships between coping responses and organizational outcomes for career-plateaued and nonplateaued employees. The objective was to determine the efficacy of common coping responses suggested for plateaued employees. Positive activities, such as expanding job assignments, mentoring. functional or technical career paths. and projects or teams, were associated with more positive attitudes and higher perceived performance among plateaued employees. Among nonplateaued employees, there were no significant relationships found. Negative denial responses, such as blaming the supervisor or organization for the plateau, reporting intentions to leave, and use of alcohol or drugs, were associated with lower attitudes and higher career-related strain among both plateaued and nonplateaued employees, Negative behavioral responses, such as lowering quality or quantity of work. psychological withdrawal. and lateral transfers, were associated with lower attitudes among both groups of employees and lower perceived performance among plateaued employees. lmplications for managers and human resource professionals are discussed An unfortunate consequence of organizational restructuring and downsizing is often the creation of widespread career plateauing among employees. Hierarchical career paths have been reduced or eliminated as companies seek to become more streamlined and adaptive to environmental threats and changes. Combine these structural changes with the presence of the baby-boom generation in middle-management levels, and you have a recipe for a major crisis in employee career management. Vast numbers of employees are facing career plateaus earlier in their careers than was historically expected. Maintaining positive attitudes and productivity among employees whose promotion possibilities have been virtually eliminated is a major human resource challenge (Bardwick, 1983; Feldman, 1996; Hall & Richter, 1990; Murray, 1977). The practitioner-focused literature on career plateaus suggests numerous strategies for managing plateaued employees. Managers are told to offer lateral 'This research was supported in part by a grant from the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business.

Research paper thumbnail of Organizational Politics and Stress: The Development of a Process Model

Research paper thumbnail of The AAA (appraisals, attributions, adaptation) model of job stress

Organizational Psychology Review, 2014

The AAA model is presented as an integrative conceptualization of workplace stress that combines ... more The AAA model is presented as an integrative conceptualization of workplace stress that combines research from multiple models and theories to account for the numerous complexities that employees experience when cognitively evaluating organizational demands. The proposed model examines the effects of employees’ organizational stressors on the cognitive appraisal process and describes how employees’ emotions and self-regulation affect individual coping behaviors, adaptation, and learning from stressful experiences. Practitioner applications, theoretical contributions, and directions for future research are presented.

Research paper thumbnail of From Combat to Khakis: An Examination of Job Stress with Veterans

Academy of Management Proceedings, 2014

Veterans are transitioning out of the military and into the civilian workforce at an unprecedente... more Veterans are transitioning out of the military and into the civilian workforce at an unprecedented rate. The experienced stress associated with this transition, Veteran Transitioning Stress (VeTS),...

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Work Passion on Personal and Organizational Outcomes

Academy of Management Proceedings, 2013

Although employee passion has both scholarly and practical merit, there is very little theory and... more Although employee passion has both scholarly and practical merit, there is very little theory and research in this area of scientific inquiry. In an effort to address this lack of scholarship, a tw...

Research paper thumbnail of Examination of the interpersonal predictors of mentoring relational quality

Career Development International, 2014

Purpose– A continued focus in organizational research has been on career development, and mentori... more Purpose– A continued focus in organizational research has been on career development, and mentoring has been identified as a key determinant of career success. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the interpersonal dynamics which contribute to variations in the effectiveness of mentoring support behaviors. Specifically, the effects of mentoring relational quality (MRQ) (i.e. affective perceptions held by mentors and protégés) on mentoring behaviors (i.e. vocational and psychosocial) as well as professional identification are considered. Interpersonal skills (e.g. behavioral integrity and political skill) of mentors and protégés are examined for their impact on MRQ.Design/methodology/approach– Utilizing matched dyadic survey data from 100 mentor-protégé pairs in academe (i.e. dissertation chairs and doctoral candidates or recent doctoral alumni), partial least squares was used to test the research model.Findings– Results support MRQ as an integral component in mentoring dynamics....

Research paper thumbnail of Personality research in the organizational sciences

Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management

... J. Barling, F. Slater, EK Kelloway (2000), "Transformational leadership ... more ... J. Barling, F. Slater, EK Kelloway (2000), "Transformational leadership and emotional intelligence: An exploratory study", Leadership & Organization ... Emotional expression and implications for occupational stress: An application of the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ ...

Research paper thumbnail of Stoner Perrewe Hofacker

Research paper thumbnail of A Critical Review and Synthesis of Student-Athlete College Choice Factors: Recruiting Effectiveness in NCAA Sports

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 2014

The sport and education literatures are replete with studies about what factors influence student... more The sport and education literatures are replete with studies about what factors influence student-athletes' college choice decisions. Although numerous factors have been identified, how these criteria come to influence student-athlete decisions has not been fully addressed. Warranting attention is the recruitment process undertaken by schools, especially as it pertains to the role of recruiters (coaches). Based on the sport and management literature, we develop a conceptual model illustrating the fit between recruits and recruiters. This model introduces the reputation/information framework [1] and a social influence approach to NCAA sports recruitment, while also expanding upon previous college choice factor research. In our model, we propose that socially effective recruiters will be better able to identify relevant college choice factors, consolidate this information into recruitment influence strategies, and communicate these strategies by using influence tactics in order to...

Research paper thumbnail of Locus of Control and Task Complexity in Perceptions of Job Dimensions

Psychological Reports, 1987

In the present study was examined the effects of locus of control and task complexity on percepti... more In the present study was examined the effects of locus of control and task complexity on perceptions of task characteristics by 110 business undergraduates. Individuals with an internal locus of control perceived more skill variety, task significance, autonomy, and feedback than individuals with an external locus of control when working on a complex task. It is argued that external scorers are less responsive to environmental cues under conditions of high task complexity.

Research paper thumbnail of The Fallout from Abusive Supervision: An Examination of Subordinates and Their Partners

Personnel Psychology, 2011

Using spillover and crossover theory, we examined how subordinate's experience of abusive supervi... more Using spillover and crossover theory, we examined how subordinate's experience of abusive supervision impacts both subordinate's and partner's family domains. Specifically, a model was proposed and tested that examined the fallout from abusive supervision through 2 types of strain, work-to-family conflict and relationship tension, on family satisfaction of the subordinate and on family functioning of the partner. Using a matched set of 280 subordinates and partners, this study found that abusive supervision contributes to the experience of work-to-family conflict and relationship tension. Further, family satisfaction for the subordinate and family functioning for the partner were diminished through the experience of relationship tension. Interestingly, although the experience of work-to-family conflict contributed to relationship tension, it did not directly impact the family outcomes. We discuss the study's implications for theory, research, and practice while suggesting new research directions. Abusive supervision (i.e., a form of nonphysical aggression) has been shown to result in a variety of stress-related outcomes for victims (Keashly, Hunter, & Harvey, 1997; Tepper, 2000) including negative attitudes and psychological distress (Tepper, 2007). Specifically, abusive supervision has been defined as "subordinates' perceptions of the extent to which We thank Bennett Tepper, Gerald Ferris, and two anonymous reviewers for their help revising this manuscript. This research was conducted with support from the Texas A&M Mays Business School Mini-Grant Program.

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Music on Perceptions of Task Characteristics

Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1987

The present study examined music as a means to enhance task perceptions. The study was a 2 (compl... more The present study examined music as a means to enhance task perceptions. The study was a 2 (complex task vs simple task) × 2 (music vs no music) experimental design in which 110 undergraduates participated. Both main and moderating effects were examined. Results suggest that music does not affect perceptions of task characteristics.

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of job demands and behavioral control on experienced job stress

Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1989

Summary The present study examines the impact of behavioral control on the experience of work str... more Summary The present study examines the impact of behavioral control on the experience of work strain under conditions of work overload. Extending experimental laboratory findings that suggest that control can lessen the impact of aversive stimuli on psychological and ...

Research paper thumbnail of An experimental examination of implicit stress theory

Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1993

... PAMELA L. PERREWE, DENISE ROTONDO FERNANDEZ AND KAREN S. MORTON Deportment of Management, Col... more ... PAMELA L. PERREWE, DENISE ROTONDO FERNANDEZ AND KAREN S. MORTON Deportment of Management, College of Business, Florida State ... and its relationship to job performance has recently received increased attention (Westman and Eden, 1991; Jamal, 1984,1985 ...

Research paper thumbnail of Implicit Stress Theory: An experimental examination of subjective performance information on employee evaluations

Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1995

... Page 2. 354 DR FERNANDEZ AND PL PERREWfi ... Essentially, their findings suggest that the man... more ... Page 2. 354 DR FERNANDEZ AND PL PERREWfi ... Essentially, their findings suggest that the manager cannot possibly be performing well if working in a high-stressor job environment because high stress is associated with lower performance (Jamal, 1984). ...

Research paper thumbnail of An examination of beliefs about older workers: Do stereotypes still exist?

Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1995

Abstract This study examined individuals' beliefs about older workers. Of pa... more Abstract This study examined individuals' beliefs about older workers. Of particular interest was the relationship between those beliefs and individuals'(a) interactions with older workers,(b) supervisory status, and (c) demographic variables. Findings indicated that ...

Research paper thumbnail of Strain reactions to perceived entitlement behavior by others as a contextual stressor: Moderating role of political skill in three samples

Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2010

Observing others entitlement behavior can create a stressful work context fraught with accompanyi... more Observing others entitlement behavior can create a stressful work context fraught with accompanying strain consequences. The present investigation examined the interactive effects of perceived entitlement behavior by others and political skill on job tension in three samples (N ϭ 440, 167, and 140, respectively) designed to establish a consistent pattern of results. Specifically, perceived entitlement behavior by others was hypothesized to predict heightened levels of job tension in the absence of political skill. Conversely, for those with high levels of political skill, perceived entitlement behavior by others was predicted to demonstrate little relationship with job tension. Across samples, hypothesized relationships received support, as political skill was found to be a significant moderator of the perceived entitlement behavior by others-job tension relationship. Scholarly and practical implications, strengths and limitations, and future research directions are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of The interactive effects of positive affect and conscientiousness on strain

Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2006

The purpose of our study was to more fully investigate a combination of personal resources, namel... more The purpose of our study was to more fully investigate a combination of personal resources, namely positive affect (PA) and conscientiousness, on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and job tension. We examined a sample of nurses employed by a metropolitan hospital and found that the combination of high positive affect and high levels of conscientiousness was associated with lower levels of all strain variables. Our findings suggested that conscientiousness strengthened the negative relationship between PA and job strain. Our results were consistent with the view that some dispositions can act as resources protecting individuals from experienced stress. Implications of these results, strengths and limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Accountability for others, perceived resources, and well being: Convergent restricted non-linear results in two samples

Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 2010

... Correspondence: Kelly L. Zellars,. *Correspondence: Correspondence should be addressed to Kel... more ... Correspondence: Kelly L. Zellars,. *Correspondence: Correspondence should be addressed to Kelly L. Zellars, Department ... Job satisfaction. We measured job satisfaction (α= .87 in Sample 1; α= .90 in Sample 2) using a five-item sub-scale of Brayfield and Rothe's (1951) index. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Politics Understanding and Networking Ability as a Function of Mentoring

Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 2007

Some have suggested that mentoring in organizations tends to focus on “learning the ropes,” or un... more Some have suggested that mentoring in organizations tends to focus on “learning the ropes,” or understanding organizational politics. This process is believed to result in building greater political skill and networking ability. The authors examined the relationships among mentoring, politics understanding, and networking ability. It was proposed that individuals experiencing the mentoring process would report higher levels of knowledge regarding understanding organizational politics, leading to greater networking ability. Specifically, the hypothesis that politics understanding mediated the relationship between mentoring and networking ability was tested with mediation analysis. The results provided strong support for the hypothesized relationship, demonstrating full mediation. Two additional hypotheses proposed a test of the “political skill deficiency” hypothesis, that the mediated relationships between mentoring, politics understanding, and networking ability would be moderated ...

Research paper thumbnail of Coping With a Career Plateau: An Empirical Examination of What Works and What Doesn't1

Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 2000

This study examines the relationships between coping responses and organizational outcomes for ca... more This study examines the relationships between coping responses and organizational outcomes for career-plateaued and nonplateaued employees. The objective was to determine the efficacy of common coping responses suggested for plateaued employees. Positive activities, such as expanding job assignments, mentoring. functional or technical career paths. and projects or teams, were associated with more positive attitudes and higher perceived performance among plateaued employees. Among nonplateaued employees, there were no significant relationships found. Negative denial responses, such as blaming the supervisor or organization for the plateau, reporting intentions to leave, and use of alcohol or drugs, were associated with lower attitudes and higher career-related strain among both plateaued and nonplateaued employees, Negative behavioral responses, such as lowering quality or quantity of work. psychological withdrawal. and lateral transfers, were associated with lower attitudes among both groups of employees and lower perceived performance among plateaued employees. lmplications for managers and human resource professionals are discussed An unfortunate consequence of organizational restructuring and downsizing is often the creation of widespread career plateauing among employees. Hierarchical career paths have been reduced or eliminated as companies seek to become more streamlined and adaptive to environmental threats and changes. Combine these structural changes with the presence of the baby-boom generation in middle-management levels, and you have a recipe for a major crisis in employee career management. Vast numbers of employees are facing career plateaus earlier in their careers than was historically expected. Maintaining positive attitudes and productivity among employees whose promotion possibilities have been virtually eliminated is a major human resource challenge (Bardwick, 1983; Feldman, 1996; Hall & Richter, 1990; Murray, 1977). The practitioner-focused literature on career plateaus suggests numerous strategies for managing plateaued employees. Managers are told to offer lateral 'This research was supported in part by a grant from the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business.