A closer look into impression management behaviour across cultures: a comprehensive review

• Main Authors: Lee, Jia Yi Nicole, Lew, Hui Jia Natalia
• Other Authors: Wan Ching
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/67009
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Much research has been done on impression management (IM) in the organization. However, little has been done to propose an explanation of why individuals may engage in IM in the organization. The authors’ proposed model aims to bridge the fields of the need for positive self-regard research as well as IM and proposes the universal need for positive self- regard as a possible motivator behind the impression management process. This research paper seeks to examine two things: (1) how the need for positive self-regard affects the IM process and (2) how the IM process differs across cultures along the Hofstede (1997) dimensions of Individualism-Collectivism and power distance. The literature revealed support for the view that the need for positive self-regard is universal and can be presented differently across cultures, hence influencing the types of goals individuals from different cultures may have. It was also found that the need for positive self-regard is a probable motivation for engaging in IM in organizations. However, a literature review indicated contradictory findings for preference of IM strategies across cultures. A proposed explanation could be that specific cultural norms play an important role in determining individuals’ preference of IM strategy. Nevertheless, the proposed model provides a framework to conceptualize the IM process across cultures and serves as a foundation on which future research may be conducted. Keywords: positive self-regard, impression management, culture, organizations