Peer Coworker Relationships: Influences on the Expression of Lateral Dissent

• Published in: Communication Reports Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 36 - 47
• Main Authors: Sollitto, Michael, Myers, Scott A.
• Format: Journal Article Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: Salt Lake City Routledge 02-01-2015; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Dissent Messages; Influence; Information; Organizational Dissent; Peer Coworker Relationships; Peer relationships; Work environment
• ISSN: 0893-4215; 1745-1043
• DOI: 10.1080/08934215.2014.925569

Peer coworkers exchange a variety of messages in their organizational experiences. However, little is known about how peer coworker relationship quality affects expression of organizational dissent. This study utilized Kram and Isabella's (
1985
) typology of peer coworker relationships to examine their impact on lateral dissent expression and dissent messages. The results revealed that special and collegial peers engage in greater amounts of lateral dissent expression than information peers. No differences emerged between the types of peer coworkers relationships in their use of dissent messages. The study lends support to the notion that organizational dissent is influenced by peer coworker relationships.