Past Research Projects

Past research projects

   Vincent Angel:

research project “under construction” (2013-2015). (Advisors: Donatienne Desmette and Ginette Herman)

  Gaëtane Caesens:

“The influence of perceived organizational support on employees' attitudes and behaviors: Examination of a relative perception” (2012-2016)
Perceived organizational support (POS) has been defined as the employees' global beliefs that the organization values their contributions and cares about their well-being (Eisenberger, Huntington, Hutchison, & Sowa, 1986). This topic has been largely investigated in the literature in organizational psychology. Surprisingly, however, social comparison processes intervening in this perception were totally neglected in this literature. Filling this gap, the objective of this research project is to examine the effects of a relative, and not absolute, perception of organizational support on employees’ attitudes and behaviors at work. (Advisor: Florence Stinglhamber)

  Marie Courtois:

“Ingroup bias and discrimination from high status groups: context influence and underlying processes” (2010-2014)
Discrimination is still very present at the work place. Crandall and Eshleman (2003) propose a heuristic model that predicts expression of the prejudice. Two forces are into play. The first force consists in the suppression of prejudice. That is a motivated attempt to reduce, deny or avoid the expression of prejudice. The second force is justification. It refers to processes that can serve as an opportunity to express prejudice without incurring sanction. These processes will be studied from the perspective of high status groups, namely, managers who have some power in their organizations and in interaction with organizational context. (Advisor: Ginette Herman)

  Edwine Goldoni:

“More competent but less warm? Perceptions about volunteers and organizational consequences in the changing context of volunteer work” (2012-2016)
Volunteering has received an increasing interest in work and organizational psychology. However, little is known about relations between paid workers and volunteers. Furthermore, recent studies in social economy show that social enterprises (SE) are turning more professional, for instance by adjusting their managerial practices. This may blur occupational role in SE and increase competition between paid and non-paid workers. The objective of this project is to examine the effects of the professionalization of SE on intergroup relations between paid workers and volunteers (e.g., stereotypes, emotions and behaviors) as well as identity dynamics developed by these two groups. The consequences for individuals (e.g., well-being) and organisations (e.g., job satisfaction and intention to stay) are also examined. (Advisors: Donatienne Desmette and Ginette Herman)

  Dorothée Hanin:

“The influence of employer branding on candidates' and employees' attitudes and behaviors” (2007-2013)
The purpose of our research is to understand how candidates and employees perceive communications diffused by a/their company about the benefits (e.g., tangibles and intangibles) it offers as an employer (employer branding) and the influence of these perceptions on their attitudes and behaviors. Moreover, this project aims to study psychological mechanisms that might explain these relationships (i.e. perception of perceived organizational support; feelings of organizational pride). (Advisors: Florence Stinglhamber and Nathalie Delobbe)

   David Bourguignon:

« Des conséquences de la stigmatisation aux stratégies de défense de soi: le cas des personnes sans emploi » (2005, advisors: Ginette Herman and Vincent Yzerbyt)