Research Projects

• Culture, moral self and Ethical Behavior in Organizations

The recent ethics scandals in Brazil have required the development of models to prevent this type of behaviour in organizations. The objective of this project is to test an interactionist prediction model of ethical behaviour in organizations considering the effect of organizational culture (values and norms) and the moral self. Therefore, at least 30 organizational units with 10 participating employees will answer a questionnaire measuring values and organizational norms, ethical behaviour and moral self. The scales will undergo exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and multilevel modeling will test the model.

Research coordination: Juliana B Porto

Financial support: CNPQ, FAP-DF, CAPES

• Values, Culture and Positive Organizational Behaviour

The objectives of this project are: 1) develop theoretical model to identify the effects of individual-organization and individual-culture interaction on positive organizational behavior (proactivity, moral and ethical behavior, job satisfaction, organizational citizenship and trust); 2) develop strategies to measure “fit” between different levels in organizational studies, with special focus on values, in order to test prediction models in positive behaviors; and, 3) develop theoretical framework and measures that help to test theoretical models. For this we use the theoretical framework and methodology of social psychology and multilevel studies in organizations.

Research coordination: Juliana B Porto

• Organizational Values Questionnaire

Values constitute the core of organizational culture, guiding the organizational practices and policies. Despite their relevance to the understanding of organizational phenomena, few researchers have invested on the development of a theoretical structure about the theme. Literature review about organizational values indicates that at least five theoretical models have been widely applied. These initiatives revealed divergent dimensions. When other subjects answered the questionnaires, the initial structures were not confirmed. Thus, it is still necessary to develop a measurement instrument that allows the evaluation of the diverse dimensions of this construct. The aim of this project is to develop a new measurement instrument of organizational values that considers the dimensions cited on current literature. We will search for validity evidences of this new measurement and test information sharing capability of organizational members.

Research coordination: Juliana B. Porto

• Social Psychology of “Brazilian jeitinho”. Cultural level analysis and impact on psychosocial processes.

Projects associated with this research line come from an emic perspective of social psychology cross-cultural studies, which aims to describe phenomena and social behaviors typical of local cultures. Based on studies of the social anthropology “Brazilian jeitinho” category, our goals are: (a) describe behaviors and social practices of Brazilians that are classified as “jeitinho”; (b) define the construct dimensional structure; (c) develop and validate explicit and implicit measures of “jeitinho”; and (d) elaborate a nomological network of social-psychological constructs related to “jeitinho”. To achieve these goals we will conduct researches using multiple methods. The main theoretical foundation comes from social influence processes and social norms, since we understand that “jeitinho” refers to social influence strategies that involve creativity and breaking laws and norms socially shared. This project is conducted by the CONEXÃO BRASIL research group, constituted by two researchers in New Zealand, one in Rio de Janeiro and two in Brasília (UnB). One master degree student also takes part of this project.

Research coordination: Juliana B. Porto, Maria Cristina Ferreira, Ronald Fischer, Ronaldo Pilati, Taciano L. Milfont