Anti-social actions of organizationally committed individuals are explained on the basis of the 'ontological function' of organizations. This is the function of providing a sense of identity, or Being, to participants whose identity is in question. The identity that thus develops is threatened by perceived threats to the organization, and anti-social action can result. It is shown how the development of the potentiality for such anti-social action is built into the process of socialization for organizational commitment.
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