A diary study of the impression management strategies utilised by industrial and organisational psychology interns
SA Journal of Industrial Psychology
| Field | Value | |
| Title | A diary study of the impression management strategies utilised by industrial and organisational psychology interns | |
| Creator | McGowan, Nasreen A. Sekaja, Lusanda | |
| Description | Orientation: When interns enter a new workplace, they are compelled to create and maintain a good impression through a range of image-enhancing behaviours. Impression management strategies can help interns to do this.Research purpose: This study aimed to understand the strategies used by industrial and organisational (I/O) psychology interns, their goals for using them and the targets of these strategies.Motivation for the study: Interns are generally new to the workplace and, as such, may not be aware of how to play the ‘social game’ to create positive impressions about themselves, be perceived in a positive light, gain projects to fulfil their internship requirements, and, where possible, gain full-time employment from the organisation.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative design was used. Data were collected from 14 I/O psychology interns in the form of diary entries and semi-structured interviews.Main findings: The thematic analysis revealed eight key impression management strategies, some existing and others novel: ingratiation, self-promotion, rendering favours, exemplification, professionalism, openness to learning, conformity and building strategic relationships.Practical/managerial implications: Industrial and organisational psychologists should develop workshops to assist interns in using impression management skills to create a positive internship experience and advance in their respective organisations.Contribution/value-add: The study adds theoretically (the study of impression management is relatively new in South Africa), practically (findings may help direct future I/O psychology interns to the correct strategies for creating a positive impression at work) and methodologically (diary studies are not common in qualitative organisational research). | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2022-06-10 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajip.v48i0.1902 | |
| Source | SA Journal of Industrial Psychology; Vol 48 (2022); 13 pages 2071-0763 0258-5200 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/1902/3463
https://sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/1902/3464
https://sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/1902/3465
https://sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/1902/3466
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