Measuring mediating factors in the use of interpersonal sensitivity in organizations

The very nature of their position requires superiors to engage in behavior that may have adverse consequences on subordinates. Such deportment might harm the individual (employee) yet enhance the overall good of the organization. Researchers in organizational behavior refer to supervisor demeanor that is hurtful to subalterns as “necessary evils”(Margolis & Molinsky, 2008; Molinsky & Margolis, 2005).Their research suggests that several factors influence whether “necessary evils” are executed using interpersonal sensitivity—a variable that has been found to have a salubrious impact on a firm. The present study develops subscales to assess those mediating factors, as well as interpersonal sensitivity. After conducting psychometric analyses, 65 measurement items are identified that tap 20 distinct constructs. Evidence is presented for sufficient reliability and validity of the constructs. Nonetheless, the developed scales require further refinement.