Research Handbook on Social Influence at Work
The study of social influence at work is long standing, dating back to the emergence of the field of management and organizational behavior. This book will provide an overview of social influence research as it pertains to the workplace balancing the historical view with cutting edge research in the field. To that end, the introduction will provide the structure of the book in brief. The first section of the book will outline the historical underpinnings of social influence, as well as common theoretical approaches of studying social influence and typologies of social influence at work. The second section of the book will explore the context of the broader work environment, and its role encouraging social influence at work. This will comprise information on ethics, organizational culture, and structure as it relates to influence. The third section will elucidate the intrapersonal aspects of social influence at work. The fourth section of the book will include interpersonal, dyadic, leadership, and team approaches to social influence. Lastly, the fifth section will include research in new frontiers of social influence (e.g.., cross cultural, virtual/digital, neuroscience).
Editors:
Deadlines and Submission Timing
· Email brouer@southalabama.edu of initial interest and chapter(s): Open now until February 28, 2026.
· Chapter agreement with brief abstract and author details: Due February 28, 2026.
· Initial Submissions: May 2026
· Initial Revisions: August 2026
· Final Revisions: February 2027
· Final versions: April 2027
· Final Edited Book Due: May 1, 2027
Submission Instructions
· Email anonymous PDF to Robyn Brouer at brouer@southalabama.edu
Potential Chapter Topics
Below are broad potential chapter topics, but we are open to your ideas as well. Feel free to reach out to one of the editors with any questions or potential chapter ideas. We will consider any type of paper (e.g., conceptual, review, empirical, qualitative). Submissions should be in APA format, not exceeding 14,000 words.
I. Historical Underpinnings and Taxonomies of Social Influence
1. Historical foundations – Overview of Theories of Social Influence
2. Impression management
3. Power and Influence
4. Persuasion
5. Results and Effectiveness
II. The Work Context and Social Influence
6. The Role of the Organization in Creating Social Influence (e.g., organizational structures)
7. Organizational Culture and Social Influence
8. Contextual workplace Antecedents of Social Influence
9. Organizational Applications of Social Influence (influence across organizational life cycles; new ventures; cross cultural)
10. Ethical Implications of Social Influence in the Workplace
III. The Role of the Self in Social Influence
11. Why We Engage in Social Influence at Work
12. Personal and Environmental Antecedents of Social Influence
13. Gender and Social Influence
14. Race and Social Influence
15. Dispositional Facilitators of Social Influence (e.g., Age; Political Skill; Sex; Self-monitoring)
VI. Interpersonal and Team Uses of Social Influence
16. Leadership and Social Influence
17. Team Decision Making and Social Influence (norms, groupthink, social loafing)
18. Negotiation and Conflict Management
19. Managing Important Relationships at Work with Social Influence (upward and peer influence)
20. Interpersonal Outcomes of Social Influence at work (e.g., social capital, reputation, career success)
V. Social Influence in a Diverse, Global, and Digital World
21. Using Social Influence in a Virtual World
22. The Use and Impact of AI on Social Influence
23. Cross culture Uses and Effectiveness of Social Influence
24. Increasing Social Influence Effectiveness of Women and Minorities at work
25. Neuroscience and Social Influence
26. Neurodiversity and Social Influence
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Robyn Brouer
Endowed Chair
University of South Alabama
Mobile NY
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