Exploring psychological sense of community among women and men of the corporation

Abstract

The psychological sense of community was explored within a corporate environment by identifying characteristics of the psychosocial climate that predicted it. Four hundred thirty-four employees completed the Sense of Community Index (SCI), modified for a work community, and the Moos Work Environment Scale (WES). Multiple regression analyses indicated that WES factors predicting a portion of employees' sense of community differed between men and women in management and nonmanagement groups. Male managers' sense of community was predicted by their perceptions of Peer Cohesion and Involvement, whereas female managers' sense of community was predicted by their perceptions of Supervisor Support, Involvement, and Work Pressure. Male nonmanagers' sense of community was predicted by their perceptions of Involvement and Supervisor Support, whereas female nonmanagers' sense of community was predicted by perceptions of Involvement and Peer Cohesion. Gender differences in the sense of community experienced within two levels of the corporate hierarchy are discussed.