The article focuses on how sexualized perception influences employee engagement, motivation, and organizational commitment. The article presents the conceptual framework for understanding this phenomenon and provides empirical evidence from studies conducted to investigate it. In order to provide context for the discussion, the article begins with an introduction to the concepts of employee engagement, motivation, and organizational commitment.
Employee engagement is defined as a psychological state characterized by vigor, dedication, absorption, and emotional attachment toward work (Saks & Ashforth, 1996). Motivation refers to the reasons that drive people's behavior towards achieving specific goals (McClelland, 1985), while organizational commitment encompasses one's identification with, loyalty to, and involvement in the organization (Mowday et al., 1982).
Sexualized perception can be understood as a cognitive process in which individuals perceive others as sexually attractive or desirable. It has been found to influence various aspects of social interactions, including interpersonal attraction, romantic relationships, and power dynamics (Buss, 1989; Feingold, 1990).
There are limited studies examining its impact on employee engagement, motivation, and organizational commitment.
The article reviews several studies that explore the relationship between sexualized perception and these three variables.
One study investigated the effects of gender stereotypes and sexualized perception on employees' engagement levels and found that women who were more likely to perceive their male coworkers as attractive reported higher levels of job satisfaction (Hitt, Carroll, Schmidtke, & Hackman, 2013). Another study revealed that employees who were subjected to sexual harassment at work exhibited lower levels of job satisfaction, motivation, and organizational commitment (Judge, Bono, Thoresen, Patton, & Barrett, 2001).
The findings suggest that sexualized perception plays a role in shaping employee engagement, motivation, and organizational commitment. Specifically, it may contribute to increased feelings of dedication towards the organization when employees perceive themselves as valued by their superiors for their physical appearance, leading to greater investment in the organization. On the other hand, sexualized perception may also lead to negative outcomes, such as reduced motivation and commitment, when individuals experience uncomfortable or unwanted attention from others in the workplace.
This article provides an overview of how sexualized perception influences employee engagement, motivation, and organizational commitment. The findings highlight the importance of considering the impact of this phenomenon in the workplace and developing strategies to mitigate its negative effects while capitalizing on its potential benefits.
Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between these variables and to develop effective interventions for promoting positive work environments.
How does sexualized perception influence employee engagement, motivation, and organizational commitment?
Sexualization refers to the process of assigning sexual characteristics to objects, behaviors, and ideas that are not inherently sexual. In the workplace context, this can manifest in different ways such as objectifying employees based on their gender or dressing code, sexual harassment, and creating an environment where employees feel uncomfortable and unsafe. Sexualized perception can have negative consequences for employee engagement, motivation, and organizational commitment.