Abstract
Technologies, processes and products are easily imitated in today’s business world, so organizations can differentiate themselves from others only with their human capital. Helplessness, which may reflect itself as alienation, withdrawal, turnover intention is a serious problem that could prevent the adequate utilization of human capital. The overarching purpose of this study was to review “learned helplessness literature†with specific focus on helplessness in work context. This study, hopefully provided insights about why employees exhibit passive behaviors and apathy; in other words fall into helplessness even though they could initiate a change. In the first part, development of learned helplessness concept was explained together with initial models and experiments. After providing this background information, the individual and work-related antecedents of helplessness were listed. As part of antecedents, the impact of locus of control, gender, role stressors (i.e., workload, ambiguity) and organization structure was discussed briefly. In the third part, both organizational and individual consequences of helplessness were mentioned. Finally, suggestions were made to both practitioners and researchers in order to contribute advancement of theory and improvement of quality of work life.
Highlights
Upon their birth to till their death, people strive to control environment and take advantage of it
Apathy and submissiveness are against human nature, which is oriented to control the things happening around and make sense of the world
Passive behaviors and apathy arising from feelings of uncontrollability explained with the help of learned helplessness construct
Summary
Upon their birth to till their death, people strive to control environment and take advantage of it. Apathy and submissiveness are against human nature, which is oriented to control the things happening around and make sense of the world If it is so, why do people comply with the wishes of their parents, supervisors, friends and authority figures they believe that change is necessary? Believing that nothing can be done, and feeling lack of control over outcomes or events could induce passivity and apathetic behaviors. Passive behaviors and apathy arising from feelings of uncontrollability explained with the help of learned helplessness construct. By understanding the factors inducing helplessness, managers and administrators could understand why employees remain silent and do not take initiative even though they realize the problems in the organization Such an understanding could help managers when designing and implementing human resource systems. By reducing adverse conditions and increasing control over work outcomes, managers could decrease feelings of helplessness, had thereby better utilize human capital
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