DRESSING UP LIKE AN ORGANIZATION - WHEN PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES CAN EXPLAIN ORGANIZATIONAL ACTION

This article explores how psychological theories can be used to explain organizational action. It starts by noting that many macro actions may in fact be micro behavior in disguise. It is argued that psychological models are relevant when individuals are able to influence organizational action, when individual-level processes mediate organizational actions, and when theories of human behavior serve as a metaphor for the action of organizations. Once these arguments are posed, how micro research might actually be applied to macro problems is then discussed and specific examples of such "macro-psychological research" are provided.