The positive side of peer pressure: employees as “enforcers” of positive cultural values

• Published in: Development and learning in organizations Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 4 - 6
• Main Author: Lilly, Juliana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 21-07-2021; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Abstinence; Compliance; Conformity; Corporate culture; Cultural values; Institutionalization; New employees; Orientations; Peer relationships; Socialization; Peer pressure; Socialization; Conformity; Culture
• ISSN: 1477-7282; 1758-6097
• DOI: 10.1108/DLO-11-2020-0228

Purpose
This paper discusses how peer pressure works and how to use it in a positive way to encourage employees to behave in ways that are beneficial to the organization.
Design/methodology/approach
This viewpoint is prepared by an independent writer offering practical suggestions to improve employee compliance by applying academic theory.
Findings
Organizations can create positive peer pressure through institutionalized socialization tactics that set clear expectations for behavior. These expectations become ingrained in culture leading to employees acting as “enforcers” of cultural values.
Originality/value
This article saves executives and researchers hours of reading time by presenting decades of research in a condensed and easy-to-read format.