We Need to Talk: Enhancing the Effectiveness of Bad News Delivery

Managing negative situations is a critical task for managers and organizations, especially since doing so effectively is imperative for “creating a better world” (Academy of Management, 2021). However, there are numerous obstacles that can challenge managers. Our symposium gathers an international panel of scholars from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Portugal, The Netherlands, and the United States that leverages diverse perspectives and methodologies to (a) assess what influences managers’ decisions to pursue punishment (vs. procedural justice) when they handle ambiguous allegations of harm, (b) how managerial inaction can be detrimental for employees and managers, (c) how procedural justice issues can influence managers conducting layoffs, (d) how anticipatory moral emotions affect managerial behaviors in “necessary evil” tasks, and (e) how managers can effectively deliver bad news. Following the paper presentations, Dr. Robert Bies will conclude the symposium with an engaging interactive discussion that highlights key insights and future research directions. By showcasing theoretical and practical insights into how managers and organizations can more effectively manage negative situations, we aim to fulfill the Academy of Management’s objective to “create a better world” through responsible management