Mutual face giving and upward communication of negative information.

• Main Author: Tan, Yen Poh.
• Other Authors: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Social psychology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/42524
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study explored the role of mianzi in relaying negative information upward. It was hypothesized that negative information will be communicated upward only if there is mutual face giving between subordinate and superior, through its effect on the individual's other and self psychological safety construct. Data were collected from 19 interviews with Singaporean Chinese working adults from a variety of occupations (mean age = 23.58). Findings suggested that mutual face giving is indeed an important factor for upward communication of negative information. However, even with mutual face giving as well as high in other and self psychological level, interviewees are still likely to use indirect methods in communicating negative information to superiors.