The effect of impression management tactics on organizational results: An evaluative study

This study investigates the relationships between the usage level of impression management tactics and organizational cynicism and perception of injustice in terms of the perception of dissatisfaction with the results of the performance appraisal. The existing literature on impression management implies that self-promotion, ingratiation and exemplification tactics are generally used upward from subordinates to their superiors. In this context, a survey was conducted covering white-collar employees at 30 firms selected from the list of Fortune-Turkey top 500 according to their sector and employment structures. The data collected from 369 valid surveys have been analyzed. In this study the theoretical framework was presented at first, then hypotheses and research questions were determined. Later on, theoretical relationships were modeled within the endogenous-exogenous, observed-latent and mediator variables contexts using the structural equation modeling. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, path analyses, ANOVA procedures, correlation and regression analyses were applied together with complementary statistical tests. Main results reveal that predictions about hypotheses and research questions were supported. Some evidence was obtained supporting that the level of dissatisfaction with the results of the performance appraisal plays an important role as a mediator factor in the negative relationships between impression management tactics and organizational cynicism and perception of injustice. Keywords: Impression Management, Organizational Cynicism, Perception of Injustice, Results of Performance Appraisal, Structural Equation Modeling, Mediation Effect.