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Interpreting Event Causes: The Complementary Role Of Categorization And Attribution Processes

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  • Richard Z. Gooding
  • Angelo J. Kinicki

Abstract

This study examined the complementary role categorization and attribution processes play in managers’interpretations of event causes. Categorization theory suggests that events with distinctive internal or external causes should be interpreted, respectively, as internal and external. Attribution theory and research on self‐serving attributions, on the other hand, suggest that events with positive outcomes should be attributed to internal causes and events with negative outcomes to external causes. Study results showed a very significant interaction between distinctiveness of event causes (internal‐external) and the valence of event outcomes (positive‐negative). This interaction suggests that managers use categorization processes to interpret positive events, but more effortful attributional processes to interpret events with negative outcomes. There also was evidence of self‐serving attributional biases in managers’interpretations of event causes, especially events with equivocal causes. Study findings appear to be unaffected by managerial position or background. We discuss the contribution this study makes to extant research and its implications for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Z. Gooding & Angelo J. Kinicki, 1995. "Interpreting Event Causes: The Complementary Role Of Categorization And Attribution Processes," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 1-22, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:32:y:1995:i:1:p:1-22
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6486.1995.tb00643.x
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    3. Fuller, Sally Riggs & Aldag, Ramon J., 1998. "Organizational Tonypandy: Lessons from a Quarter Century of the Groupthink Phenomenon," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 73(2-3), pages 163-184, February.
    4. Oleg Gorbaniuk & Adam Żaliński, 2019. "Attribution Asymmetry in Perception of Companies’ Successes and Failures," Contemporary Economics, University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw., vol. 13(1), March.
    5. Short, Jeremy C. & Palmer, Timothy B., 2003. "Organizational performance referents: An empirical examination of their content and influences," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 90(2), pages 209-224, March.
    6. Samu, Sridhar & Wymer, Walter, 2009. "The effect of fit and dominance in cause marketing communications," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 62(4), pages 432-440, April.
    7. Mantere, Saku & Aula, Pekka & Schildt, Henri & Vaara, Eero, 2013. "Narrative attributions of entrepreneurial failure," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 459-473.
    8. Claude Obadia, 2013. "Foreigness-induced Cognitive Disorientation," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 325-360, June.
    9. France Belanger & Rosann Webb Collins & Paul H. Cheney, 2001. "Technology Requirements and Work Group Communication for Telecommuters," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 12(2), pages 155-176, June.
    10. Ulrich Lichtenthaler & Holger Ernst & Martin Hoegl, 2010. "Not-Sold-Here: How Attitudes Influence External Knowledge Exploitation," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 21(5), pages 1054-1071, October.

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