A typology of negative mentoring experiences was generated utilizing multidimensional scaling techniques. Similarity ratings were obtained on 16 negative mentoring experiences identified by previous research. Multidimensional scaling results supported a three-dimensional solution for the data. Based on both subjective and empirical interpretation strategies, it was determined that individuals consider outcome severity (minor versus serious), specificity (targeted versus diffuse), and mentor function (psychosocial versus career-related) when comparing negative mentoring experiences. Connections with theoretically related areas of social science research, as well as implications for theory-building, future research, and applied practice are discuss
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Allen, T.D., Poteet, M.L. & Burroughs, S.M. The mentor’s perspective: A qualitative inquiry and future research agenda . Journal of Vocational Behavior, 1997, 51, 70–89 .
2.
Ashforth, B. Petty tyranny in organizations . Human Relations, 1994, 47, 755–778 .
3.
Bacharach, S.B. Organizational theories: Some criteria for evaluation . Academy of Management Review, 1989, 14, 496–515 .
4.
Bijmolt, T.H.A. & Wedel, M. A comparison of multidimensional scaling methods for perceptual mapping . Journal of Marketing Research, 1999, 36, 277–286 .
5.
Buyukkurt, B.K. & Buyukkurt, M.D. Robustness and small-sample properties of the estimators of probabilistic multidimensional scaling (PROSCAL) . Journal of Marketing Research, 1990, 27, 139–149 .
6.
Chao, G.T., Walz, P.M. & Gardner, P.D. Formal and informal mentorships: A comparison on mentoring functions and contrast with non-mentored counterparts . Personnel Psychology, 1992, 45, 619–636 .
7.
Crozier, M. & Friedberg, E. Actors and systems. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press , 1980.
8.
Darling, L.W. What to do about toxic mentors . The Journal of Nursing Research, 1985, 15, 43–44 .
9.
Davison, M.L. Multidimensional scaling. New York: Wiley , 1983.
10.
Doucet, L. & Jehn, K.A. Analyzing harsh words in a sensitive environment: American expatriates in Communist China . Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1997, 18, 559–582 .
11.
Dreher, G.F. & Ash, R.M. A comparative study of mentoring among men and women in managerial, professional, and technical positions . Journal of Applied Psychology, 1990, 75, 539–546 .
12.
Duck, S. Toward a research map for the study of relationship breakdown. In S. Duck & R. Gilmour (Eds), Personal relationships 3: Personal relationships in disorder. London: Academic Press , 1981, pp. 1–29.
13.
Duck, S. Stratagems, spoils, and a serpent’s tooth: On the delights and dilemmas of personal relationships. In W.R. Cupach & B.H. Sptizberg (Eds), The dark side of interpersonal communication. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates , 1994, pp. 3–24.
14.
Eby, L.T. & Allen, T.D. Further investigation of protÈgÈs negative mentoring experiences: Patterns and outcomes . Group and Organization Management, 2002, 27, 456–479 .
15.
Eby, L.T., McManus, S., Simon, S.A. & Russell, J.E.A. The protÈgÈ’s perspective regarding negative mentoring experiences: The development of a taxonomy . Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2000, 57, 1–21 .
16.
Fagenson, E.A. The mentor advantage: Perceived career/job experiences of protÈgÈs vs. nonprotÈgÈs . Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1989, 10, 309–320 .
17.
Fagenson, E.A. Perceptions of protÈgÈs’ vs. nonprotÈgÈs’ relationships with their peers, superiors, and department . Journal of Vocational Behavior, 1994, 45, 55–78 .
18.
Fitzgerald, L.F., Gelfand, M.J. & Drasgow, F. Measuring sexual harassment: Theoretical and psychometric advances . Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 1995, 17, 425–445 .
19.
Frost, P.J. Power, politics, and influence. In F.M. Jablis, L.L. Putnam, K.H. Roberts & L.W. Porter (Eds), Handbook of organizational communication: An interdisciplinary perspective. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage , 1987.
20.
Green, S.G. & Bauer, T.N. Supervisory mentoring by advisers: Relationships with doctoral student potential, productivity, and commitment . Personnel Psychology, 1995, 48, 537–561 .
21.
Homans, G.C. Social behavior: Its elementary forms. New York: Harcourt Brace , 1974.
22.
Hurley, A. & Fagenson-Eland, E.A. Challenges in cross-gender mentoring relationships: Psychological intimacy, myths, rumors, innuendoes, and sexual harassment . Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 1996, 17, 42–49 .
23.
Huston, R.L. & Burgess, T.L. Social exchange in developing relationships. New York: Academic Press , 1979.
24.
Kram, K.E. Mentoring at work. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman and Co. , 1985.
25.
Kruskal, J.B. & Wish, M. Multidimensional scaling. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications , 1978.
26.
Levinson, D.J., Darrow, D., Levinson, M., Klien, E.B. & McKee, B. Seasons of a man’s life. New York: Academic Press , 1978.
27.
Marshall, L.L. Physical and psychological abuse. In W. R. Cupach & B.H. Spitzberg (Eds), The dark side of interpersonal communication. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum , 1994, pp. 281–311.
28.
Morton, T.L., Alexander, J.F. & Altman, I. Communication and relationship definition. In G.R. Miller (Ed.), Explorations in interpersonal communication. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage , 1976, pp. 105–126.
29.
Myers, D.W. & Humphreys, N.J. The caveats of mentorship . Business Horizons, 1985, 28, 9–14 .
30.
Neuman, J.H. & Baron, R.A. Workplace violence and workplace aggression: Evidence concerning specific forms, potential causes, and preferred targets . Journal of Management, 1998, 24, 391–419 .
31.
Noe, R.A. An investigation of the determinants of successful assigned relationships . Personnel Psychology, 1988, 41, 457–479 .
32.
Pearce, P.L. & Amato, P.R. A taxonomy of helping: A multidimensional scaling analysis . Social Psychology Quarterly, 1980, 43, 363–371 .
33.
Pfeffer, J. Power in organizations. Marshfield, MA: Pitman , 1981.
34.
Ragins, B.R. Antecedents of diversified mentoring relationships . Journal of Vocational Behavior, 1997, 51, 90–109 .
35.
Ragins, B.R., Cotton, J.L. & Miller, J.S. Marginal mentoring: The effects of type of mentor, quality of relationship, and program design on work and career attitudes . Academy of Management Journal,2000, 43, 1177–1194 .
36.
Robinson, S.L. & Bennett, R.J. A typology of deviant workplace behaviors: A multidimensional scaling study . Academy of Management Journal, 1995, 38, 555–572 .
37.
Scandura, T.A. Mentorship and career mobility: An empirical investigation . Journal of Organizational Behavior, 1992, 13, 169–174 .
38.
Scandura, T.A. Dysfunctional mentoring relationships and outcomes . Journal of Management, 1998, 24, 449–467 .
39.
Scandura, T.A. & Schriesheim, C.A. Leader–member exchange and supervisor career mentoring as complementary constructs in leadership research . Academy of Management Journal, 1994, 37, 1588–1602 .
40.
Scandura, T.A. & Viator, R.E. Mentoring in public accounting firms: An analysis of mentor–protÈgÈ relationships, mentorship functions and protÈgÈ turnover intentions . Accounting, Organizations and Society, 1994, 19, 717–734 .
41.
Schiffman, S.S., Reynolds, M.L. & Young, F.T. Introduction to multidimensional scaling: Theory, methods, and applications. New York: Academic Press , 1981.
42.
Shivy, V.A., Phillips, S.D. & Koehly, L.M. Knowledge organization as a factor in career intervention outcome: A multidimensional scaling analysis . Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1996, 43, 178–186 .
43.
Thompson, P. Some missing data patterns for multidimensional scaling . Applied Psychological Measurement, 1983, 7, 45–55 .
44.
Turban, D.B. & Dougherty, T.W. The role of protÈgÈ personality in receipt of mentoring and career success . Academy of Management Journal, 1994, 37, 688–702 .
45.
Wilson, F. & Thompson, P. Sexual harassment as an exercise of power . Gender, Work, and Organization, 2001, 8, 61–83 .
