Title: How envy affects management

Authors: Samuel M. Natale, Carole Campana, Sebastian A. Sora

Addresses: Professor, Studies in Corporate Values, Iona College, New Rochelle, New York 10801, USA. ' Professor of Psychology, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mahwah, New Jersey, USA. ' Program Director, IBM Systems Research Institute, Thornwood, New York, USA

Abstract: This paper presents a definition of envy, differentiating it from jealousy, and then relates it to feelings of inferiority and superiority. The resultant |rage| is then shown to be destructive to the management environment and the corporate work function. The eight expressions of envy (|Snow White|, |whining|, |Pollyanna|; |mentor|, |clone|, |devaluation|, |not caring| and |reduction of standard|) are then described and related by examples to their effects on management. Failure to notice envy problems in the workplace results in difficult personnel issues as well as losses in work efficiency and morale. While the paper does not give solutions to resolve envy-related problems in the workplace, it enables the manager to recognize the cause of problems more clearly. And perhaps use his or her time more efficiently in resolving these daily problems.

Keywords: envy; jealousy; personnel issues; management; work function.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1988.025987

International Journal of Technology Management, 1988 Vol.3 No.5, pp.543 - 556

Published online: 26 May 2009 *

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