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DC FieldValueLanguage
dc.contributorMulti-disciplinary Studiesen_US
dc.contributorDepartment of Managementen_US
dc.creatorLo, Ka-man Carmen-
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/3184-
dc.languageEnglishen_US
dc.publisherHong Kong Polytechnic University-
dc.rightsAll rights reserveden_US
dc.titleFactors affecting perceptions of sexual harassment in the workplaceen_US
dcterms.abstractThis research project is an exploratory study which investigates how one interprets potentially harassing behaviour of a sexual nature which occurs in ambiguous situations. Data were collected from 169 past-time postgraduate students of the Polytechnic University and their colleagues, in response to 6 versions of a vignette describing an interaction between a male and a female who worked for the same organization. Variables manipulated included (1) setting - sexualized work vs neutral work vs social setting; (2) physical attractiveness of the target (harasee) - two photographs were provided as stimulus materials, depicting a more attractive female and a less attractive one. Two moderating variables, namely, (i) individual's previous experience of sexual harassment; (ii) individual's own attitude towards sexual harassment, were also measured to ascertain its effects on a person's evaluation of the behaviour. Results revealed major effects on settings, pointing to the fact that respondents perceived the behaviour as more harassing if it occurs in a sexualized work setting than if it occurs in a neutral work setting or a social setting. However, respondents did not exhibit a significant difference in their evaluation despite the attractiveness of the harasee. Insignificant moderating relationship was found between the respondents' previous experience and their judgment of sexual harassment; and similarly there was insignificant moderating relationship between their attitude towards sexual harassment and their evaluation of the ambiguous behaviour. Contrary to previous studies, there were no gender differences amongst respondents in their judgment of behaviour as harassing.en_US
dcterms.extentix, 84, [13] leaves : ill. ; 30 cmen_US
dcterms.isPartOfPolyU Electronic Thesesen_US
dcterms.issued1998en_US
dcterms.educationalLevelAll Masteren_US
dcterms.educationalLevelM.Sc.en_US
dcterms.LCSHSexual harassmenten_US
dcterms.LCSHHong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertationsen_US
dcterms.accessRightsrestricted accessen_US

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/3184