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Personality and situations in co-worker preference: Similarity and complementarity in worker compatibility.
Journal of Business and Psychology (2002)
  • R. P. Tett
  • Patrick J. Murphy, DePaul University
Abstract

Guided by fit-oriented personality theories, we asked with whom people prefer to work, given their own and others’ personality traits and in light of trait-relevant work situations. Participants (N = 185) completed the Personality Research Form (Jackson, 1989) and rated preference for hypothetical co-workers at opposite poles of Dominance, Affiliation, Autonomy, Defendence, and Abasement in simulated job settings varying in work proximity and supervisory status. As expected, judges preferred co-workers providing opportunity for trait expression (e.g., affiliative judges preferred affiliative co-workers), especially when expecting to work together and in light of who would be in charge (e.g., low-autonomous judges preferred dominant supervisors). Use of personality data in team building is discussed.

Keywords
  • personality traits; co-worker preference; trait expression; personjob
Publication Date
2002
Citation Information
R. P. Tett and Patrick J. Murphy. "Personality and situations in co-worker preference: Similarity and complementarity in worker compatibility." Journal of Business and Psychology Vol. 17 Iss. 2 (2002)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/profpjm/22/