Petra C. Schmid
Papers
1
Total Citations
3
H-Index
1
About
Petra C. Schmid is a rising organizational scholar whose work illuminates the subtle, often paradoxical dynamics of power and humor in workplace hierarchies. Her research centers on how humor functions not merely as a social lubricant but as a strategic tool for navigating—and potentially reshaping—organizational structures. In her most-cited paper, "Friend or fiend? Disentangling upward humor's (De)stabilizing effects on hierarchies" (2023, 3 citations), Schmid provides a pioneering synthesis of the scattered literature on humor directed from subordinates to leaders. She reframes "upward humor" as a nuanced continuum of strategies that can either reinforce or destabilize existing power relations, challenging the dominant focus on leaders' humor alone. This conceptual contribution offers a vital new lens for understanding follower agency in hierarchical contexts. While her citation count is still growing, Schmid’s work is notable for its theoretical ambition and its timely relevance to contemporary conversations about psychological safety, voice, and informal influence in organizations. She is a scholar to watch for anyone interested in the quiet, complex ways people negotiate status every day.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
- 1