In an economic downturn, we are less inclined to help each other at work

Research by SMU Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources Marko Pitesa and his co-author Nina Sirola of INSEAD showed that employees/fellow workers reduce their level of helping behaviour during economic downturns, that is, when it is needed the most. [Entitled “Economic downturns undermine workplace helping by promoting a zero-sum construal of success”,] the research paper was recently published in the Academy of Management Journal. Through four studies, the researchers found that cues which signal that the economy is performing poorly prompt a construal and perception among employees that the success of one person implies less success for others.  This psychological consequence, referred to as a ‘zero-sum construal of success’, makes employees less inclined to help, as they view an individual’s success as “exhausting a limited pool of successful outcomes”. Associate Prof Pitesa said, “This research uncovers a curious irrational psychological flaw that makes people respond to news of economic slowdowns in a way that aggravate the very economic problems that prompted the reaction.  My co-author and I believe that the findings have broad implications for managers, and are particularly relevant in the current dynamics and unpredictable global economic climate.”