Managers’ Social Support may both Reinforce and Undermine their Legitimacy

• This study investigates managers’ social support, and whether managers perceive that receiving social support affects their managerial legitimacy. The material consists of 62 interviews with managers in two organizations. The results show that in order to preserve their legitimacy, managers seek support from different people, and in various distinct arenas, based on the types of support these sources provide. Work-related support, which strengthens the managers’ legitimacy, was sought from sources within the workplace. Sensitive and personal support, where there is a risk of jeopardizing their legitimacy, was sought from sources outside the workplace. The results also show that participation in various arenas in order to receive support meant that demands were placed on the managers, and this could increase their stress and strain. Social support has the potential to both reinforce and undermine managers’ perceived legitimacy.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Managers; Social support; Legitimacy; Work conditions

Community medicine

Samhällsmedicin

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)