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Machismo in Organizations: Individual Predictors & Context-Dependent Outcomes

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Abstract

Two studies were conducted to examine possible predictors of machismo value endorsement and to test the possibility that machismo’s effects on job-related outcomes may be stronger in “family-oriented” than in “team-oriented” organizations. A total of 178 students were recruited from upper-level management and MBA classes at a large university in the Southwestern U.S. In Study 1, participant gender, familism values, and femininity predicted machismo values. Unexpectedly, ethnicity did not predict machismo values. Study 2 replicated results for predictors of machismo values, except that femininity did not emerge as a significant predictor. Additionally, Study 2 results indicated that machismo’s effects were dependent on the extent to which the company was viewed as family-oriented. Results suggest that machismo values: (a) may be relevant for both Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites, (b) are related, yet somewhat distinct from theoretically related variables like gender role endorsement and familism, and (c) are especially likely to affect expectations and behaviors when the organization’s culture includes elements (e.g., family orientation) that evoke a connection to those values. One of the most prominent recent demographic trends to emerge in the U.S. workforce is the rapid increase in workers of Hispanic descent. Organizations should expect an accompanying wave of employee values, attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral expectations influenced by aspects of Hispanic culture. Further, it would be of considerable applied value to identify ways to strategically harness positive effects of machismo values while mitigating potentially negative effects.

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Notes

  1. Including ethnicity and gender as control variables in these regression analyses yielded similar results and led to identical statistical conclusions, indicating that the effects generalized across both ethnic groups and to both males and females.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Haworth College of Business, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Melissa L. Intindola

  2. Anderson School of Management, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA

    Ryan P. Jacobson, Kathryn J. L. Jacobson & Robert G. DelCampo

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  1. Melissa L. Intindola
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  2. Ryan P. Jacobson
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  3. Kathryn J. L. Jacobson
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  4. Robert G. DelCampo
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Correspondence to Robert G. DelCampo.

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Intindola, M.L., Jacobson, R.P., Jacobson, K.J.L. et al. Machismo in Organizations: Individual Predictors & Context-Dependent Outcomes. Employ Respons Rights J 28, 113–131 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-015-9274-5

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