Impression Management Mini Presentation Olcu 601 Week Three

Impression Management Mini Presentationolcu 601 Week Three Discussi

Impression management refers to the strategies individuals and organizations utilize to control how others perceive them through various behaviors. Organizations often operate as stages, where they carefully craft images to project desirable qualities or mitigate negative perceptions. These strategies can be categorized into acquisitive and protective tactics, with further distinctions between direct and indirect approaches. Acquisitive tactics aim to enhance positive perceptions, while protective tactics focus on avoiding negative evaluations.

In the context of organizations, impression management manifests through actions designed to shape external perceptions, especially during crises or scandals. The categories include:

  • Acquisitive: Strategies to be viewed favorably, such as emphasizing achievements or positive attributes.
  • Protective: Efforts to reduce damage and avoid negative judgments, often through distancing or disclaimers.
  • Direct: Straightforward attempts to create a desirable image, such as public statements or overt messaging.
  • Indirect: Shaping perceptions through association with positive entities or events rather than explicit claims.

Paper For Above instruction

The concept of impression management is pivotal in understanding how organizations navigate public perception, especially amidst scandals or crises. It refers to deliberate efforts to influence how others see them, ensuring their image aligns with desired outcomes or safeguards against damage. This paper explores several real-world examples to illustrate how organizations employ different impression management strategies, particularly focusing on protective and direct tactics during negative events.

One significant example of impression management is the case of The Weinstein Company, co-founded by Harvey Weinstein. In recent weeks, allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against Weinstein have surfaced, leading to widespread outrage and organizational fallout. The company's response exemplifies the use of protective and direct tactics as outlined by Johnson (2016). Upon accusations becoming public, the board of The Weinstein Company swiftly moved to terminate Weinstein's employment, which is a quintessential display of protective/direct impression management. By distancing the organization from Weinstein and disassociating from his misconduct, they sought to preserve the company's reputation and signal disapproval of unethical behavior. Such actions serve as an attempt to project remorse, responsibility, and a commitment to ethical standards, thereby attempting to mitigate the negative impact on their public image.

This approach aligns with Johnson's (2016) classification, where organizations adopt defensive strategies during crises to prevent irreparable damage. In Weinstein's case, the immediate termination of Weinstein's role in the company was a step aimed at demonstrating accountability and distancing the organization from unethical conduct. Publicly, this move was designed to restore trust among consumers, industry partners, and the general public. It reflects a strategic use of impression management to control the narrative, emphasizing corrective actions and ethical commitments to regain legitimacy.

Another illustrative example is FIFA, the international governing body of football, which faced serious allegations regarding corruption and unethical influence. As reported by the New York Times (2017), accusations centered around undue influence and improper conduct within FIFA's decision-making processes. FIFA dismissed these allegations, asserting that their internal communications and influence exchanges were normal and justified. This response exemplifies direct impression management tactics, specifically through the use of disclaimers and justifications to defend their integrity and dismiss claims of misconduct.

FIFA’s strategy involved asserting the naturalness of their interactions and emphasizing transparency and regular contact among officials. This aligns with Johnson’s (2016) description of indirect tactics, where organizations seek to shape perceptions by framing events within a context that minimizes perceived misconduct or influence. Such responses aim to maintain a positive organizational image by defending their internal processes and discrediting allegations as unfounded or misleading.

A third example involves Subway restaurants and their former spokesperson Jared Fogle, who was implicated in criminal activities, including possession of child pornography. Subway’s immediate response was to sever ties with Fogle and issue a brief statement indicating they had no further relationship. This is a classic protective impression management strategy—by distancing themselves rapidly from Fogle, Subway aimed to protect their brand integrity and prevent association with his crimes. As Johnson (2017) highlights, organizations often employ such protective tactics to avoid long-term damage in light of scandal, hoping to demonstrate they do not endorse or condone such behavior.

In conclusion, impression management serves as an essential tool for organizations seeking to navigate crises and manage their public image effectively. The cases of The Weinstein Company, FIFA, and Subway illustrate various combinations of protective and direct tactics employed during challenging times. These strategies enable organizations to mitigate damage, uphold reputation, and re-establish trust among stakeholders. As organizations face increasing scrutiny from the public and media, mastering impression management becomes vital for sustaining organizational legitimacy and long-term success.

References

  • Johnson, J. (2016). Organizational ethics. Sage Publications.
  • Johnson, J. (2017). Impression Management and Organizational Behavior. SAGE Publishing.
  • New York Times. (2017). FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces new ethics complaint. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/13/sports/fifa-ethics-complaint.html
  • Forbes. (2017). Subway restaurants annual report. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com
  • International Business Times. (2017). Jared Fogle’s scandal and Subway’s response. Retrieved from https://www.ibtimes.com
  • Labs.la.utexas.edu. (2017). The blank slate: A review. Retrieved from https://labs.la.utexas.edu
  • Johnson, C. (2017). Organizational ethics. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
  • Smith, A. (2018). Crisis communication and impression management. Journal of Business Ethics, 152(2), 251-266.
  • Brown, L. (2019). Reputation management strategies in organizations. Public Relations Review, 45(3), 101-113.
  • Anderson, P. (2020). Media influence and organizational reputation. Journal of Communication Management, 24(4), 343-355.

Related Assignments