Affiliations: [a]
HELIX VINN Excellence Centre, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| [b]
Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Unit of Education and Sociology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| [c]
Department of Medical and Health Sciences, National Centre for Work and Rehabilitation, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Daniel Lundqvist, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden. Tel.: +46 13 28 44 94; E-mail: daniel.lundqvist@liu.se.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Previous research has shown that social support is important for health and performance at work, but there is a lack of research regarding managers’ social support at work, and if it needs to be improved OBJECTIVE:To investigate managers’ perception of work-related social support, and facilitators and hindrances that influence their seeking of social support at work. METHODS:Semi-structured interviews with sixty-two managers in two Swedish organizations. RESULTS:Work-related support, which strengthened their managerial image of being competent, was sought from sources within the workplace. Sensitive and personal support, where there was a risk of jeopardizing their image of being competent, was sought from sources outside the workplace. Access to arenas for support (location of the workplace, meetings, and vocational courses) and the managerial role could facilitate their support-seeking, but could also act as hindrances. Because attending different arenas for support were demanding, they refrained from seeking support if the demands were perceived as too high. CONCLUSIONS:Different supportive sources are distinguished based on what supportive function they have and in which arenas they are found, in order to preserve the confidence of the closest organization and to maintain the image of being a competent and performing manager.
Keywords: Image, health, leadership, work conditions
