The role of individual perceptions in the completion of formalistic tasks

Abstract

AbstractFormalistic tasks are common in collective cultural societies such as China. They bring a great loss of efficiency as well as some potential social benefits. The study aims to explore the perception mechanism of formalistic tasks at the individual level, helping understand and better manage them. Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, we proposed that individuals’ perceived value (PV), perceived cost (PC), and perceived pressure (PP) would significantly influence their participation in and completion of formalistic tasks. We therefore developed two studies: Study 1 explored how individuals perceive formalistic tasks, and Study 2 tested the effects of individual perceptions on the completion degree (CD) of formalistic tasks. We collected the data from 319 and 536 Chinese respondents by questionnaire survey for the two studies respectively. Statistical approach and structural equation model (SEM) were used to analyze the data. Through empirical studies, we substantiated the positive role of PV and PC in the completion of formalistic tasks. Furthermore, coercive pressure (CP) and normative pressure (NP), the two elements of PP, would significantly moderate the effect of PC on CD. However, the moderating effects are weak. Our study aroused scholars’ attention to formalistic tasks in organizations and filled the gap in formalistic management. Our findings therefore make a contribution to organization management in collective culture and guide managers to better develop and promote formalistic tasks.