The role of individual perceptions in the completion of formalistic tasks
Abstract Formalistic tasks are common in collective cultural societies such as China. They bring a great loss of efficiency as well as some potential social benefits. The study aims to explore the perception mechanism of formalistic tasks at the individual level, helping understand and better manage...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer Nature
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02251-3 |
| _version_ | 1797453567630508032 |
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| author | Wenjun Wu Dengke Yu |
| author_facet | Wenjun Wu Dengke Yu |
| author_sort | Wenjun Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Formalistic tasks are common in collective cultural societies such as China. They bring a great loss of efficiency as well as some potential social benefits. The study aims to explore the perception mechanism of formalistic tasks at the individual level, helping understand and better manage them. Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, we proposed that individuals’ perceived value (PV), perceived cost (PC), and perceived pressure (PP) would significantly influence their participation in and completion of formalistic tasks. We therefore developed two studies: Study 1 explored how individuals perceive formalistic tasks, and Study 2 tested the effects of individual perceptions on the completion degree (CD) of formalistic tasks. We collected the data from 319 and 536 Chinese respondents by questionnaire survey for the two studies respectively. Statistical approach and structural equation model (SEM) were used to analyze the data. Through empirical studies, we substantiated the positive role of PV and PC in the completion of formalistic tasks. Furthermore, coercive pressure (CP) and normative pressure (NP), the two elements of PP, would significantly moderate the effect of PC on CD. However, the moderating effects are weak. Our study aroused scholars’ attention to formalistic tasks in organizations and filled the gap in formalistic management. Our findings therefore make a contribution to organization management in collective culture and guide managers to better develop and promote formalistic tasks. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:24:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bc06b1ef428e46858d642bb8f2a416bb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2662-9992 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:24:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Springer Nature |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-bc06b1ef428e46858d642bb8f2a416bb2023-11-26T12:37:30ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922023-10-0110111310.1057/s41599-023-02251-3The role of individual perceptions in the completion of formalistic tasksWenjun Wu0Dengke Yu1School of Public Policy and Administration, Nanchang UniversitySchool of Public Policy and Administration, Nanchang UniversityAbstract Formalistic tasks are common in collective cultural societies such as China. They bring a great loss of efficiency as well as some potential social benefits. The study aims to explore the perception mechanism of formalistic tasks at the individual level, helping understand and better manage them. Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, we proposed that individuals’ perceived value (PV), perceived cost (PC), and perceived pressure (PP) would significantly influence their participation in and completion of formalistic tasks. We therefore developed two studies: Study 1 explored how individuals perceive formalistic tasks, and Study 2 tested the effects of individual perceptions on the completion degree (CD) of formalistic tasks. We collected the data from 319 and 536 Chinese respondents by questionnaire survey for the two studies respectively. Statistical approach and structural equation model (SEM) were used to analyze the data. Through empirical studies, we substantiated the positive role of PV and PC in the completion of formalistic tasks. Furthermore, coercive pressure (CP) and normative pressure (NP), the two elements of PP, would significantly moderate the effect of PC on CD. However, the moderating effects are weak. Our study aroused scholars’ attention to formalistic tasks in organizations and filled the gap in formalistic management. Our findings therefore make a contribution to organization management in collective culture and guide managers to better develop and promote formalistic tasks.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02251-3 |
| spellingShingle | Wenjun Wu Dengke Yu The role of individual perceptions in the completion of formalistic tasks Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| title | The role of individual perceptions in the completion of formalistic tasks |
| title_full | The role of individual perceptions in the completion of formalistic tasks |
| title_fullStr | The role of individual perceptions in the completion of formalistic tasks |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of individual perceptions in the completion of formalistic tasks |
| title_short | The role of individual perceptions in the completion of formalistic tasks |
| title_sort | role of individual perceptions in the completion of formalistic tasks |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02251-3 |
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