2006 “Exploring the social ledger: Negative relationships and negative asymmetry in social networks in organizations

We explore the role of negative relationships in the context of social networks in work organizations. Whereas network researchers have emphasized the benefits and op-portunities derived from positive interpersonal relationships, we examine the social liabilities that can result from negative relationships in order to flesh out the entire “social ledger. ” Deriving our argument from theory and research on negative asym-metry, we propose that these negative relationships may have greater power than positive relationships to explain workplace outcomes. Aman’s stature is determined by his enemies, not his friends (Al Pacino, City Hall). Employees in organizations are embedded in social networks that can provide opportunities and benefits, such as job attainment, job satis-faction, enhanced performance, salary, power