A Multi-Level Review of Impression Management Motives and Behaviors

2008/11/19 by Mark C. Bolino, K. Michele Kacmar, William H. Turnley +1 · 3 citations
Business, Management and Accounting · Psychology · #Corporate Identity and Reputation #Customer Service Quality and Loyalty #Management and Marketing Education #Impression management #Legitimacy #Psychology #Value (mathematics) #Organizational behavior #Knowledge management #Social psychology #Management science #Computer science #Political science

paper · doi:10.1177/0149206308324325

openalex publication_date 2008/11/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

This article selectively reviews studies of impression management (IM) published since 1988 and identifies strengths, limitations, and future research directions in three key areas: research investigating the use of IM at the individual level of analysis (e.g., performance appraisal); research that applies IM theory, concepts, and thinking to better understand organizational phenomena (e.g., feedback seeking); and research investigating organizational-level IM (e.g., how firms create legitimacy). Following their review, the authors offer some overarching recommendations for future examinations of IM in organizations, giving particular attention to the need for clear definitions and categories of IM behaviors and the value of multi-level investigations.

Citations

• Counternormative impression management, likeability, and performance ratings: the use of intimidation in an organizational setting
• Responding to Organizational Identity Threats: Exploring the Role of Organizational Culture
• Citizenship and Impression Management: Good Soldiers or Good Actors?

Cited by

• Using corporate stories to build the corporate brand: an impression management perspective
• Why does counterproductive work behavior lead to pro-social rule breaking? The roles of impression management motives and leader-liking
• Impression management [wikipedia]

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