Organizational Norm Congruency and Interpersonal Familiarity in E‐Mail: Examining Messages From Two Different Status Perspectives

Relying on SIDE theory, this 2 × 2 experimental design tested the effects of adherence to organizational norms and interpersonal familiarity in e‐mail messages from both superior and subordinate perspectives. Results reveal that using norm‐congruent e‐mail messages account for over 50% of the variance in both superior and subordinate attitudes toward the message and between 30% and 56% of the variance in perceptions of source credibility. Data from the superiors indicate that norm congruent e‐mail messages account for 14.4% of the variance in message compliance. Results from subordinates reveal an interaction effect that is consistent with SIDE‐based predictions. Subordinates believe superiors are most likely to comply with e‐mail requests from unfamiliar subordinates that are crafted in a manner congruent with organizational norms.