The Psychology of Rivalry: A relationally-dependent analysis of competition

Abstract

His research investigates the origins, consequences, and underlying psychology of rivalry, a competitive relationship that serves to increase the psychological stakes of competition independent of any tangible stakes. In this talk, he will focus specifically on work that examines how rivalry affects performance, organizational identification and commitment, and customer engagement.

Speaker Biography

Gavin J. Kilduff is a Professor of Management and Organizations at the NYU Stern School of Business. His research focuses on rivalry and competition, status dynamics and social intelligence, and play. Specifically, he examines 1) how rivalries develop – among individuals, groups, and organizations – and how they affect competitive behavior and decision-making, 2) how individuals and groups navigate status hierarchies within organizations, and 3) how engaging in non-serious play can benefit individuals, teams, and organizations. Professor Kilduff received his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley.