Featured Post from University of Delaware

Sixers' summer soap opera: What the Harden-Morey rift can teach us about organizational dynamics

Aug 15, 2023

2 min

Kyle Emich


Did star point guard James Harden quit on the Philadelphia 76ers? Or did general manager Daryl Morey break his promise that a large contract would be coming his way after the former MVP took a pay cut last season?


As is almost always the case, the answer sits somewhere in the middle, and that's a complicated place for it to be.


But Kyle Emich, professor of management at the University of Delaware, said there are lessons in the latest Sixers' offseason debacle that can be applied to teams and culture in the workplace:


  • When you are part of an organization, you need to feel what's called "task significance" to be motivated to do your job. This means that you need to feel that your job has a positive impact on the organization or broader society.
  • The problems between Harden and Morey indicate that, although playing for the fans may give him some motivation, he no longer believes that the organization is a positive entity. This will greatly decrease his motivation, which influences practice and on-the-court performance (assuming he goes back on his threat to return).
  • There is an even larger potential influence on things he is not paid for, but that are very important for the 76ers (such as informal mentoring of players like rising star Tyrese Maxey; acting as a role model (e.g., arriving early/leaving late), giving the organization positive press and his presence and demeanor at training camp (which he says he won't attend).
  • Whether or not people realize it, organizations are emotional environments. Different emotions do different things and this sense of betrayal and anger is likely to make Harden actively move against the Sixers. This is obviously not ideal.
  • Because Harden is a role model, we need to also be aware of emotional contagion. It is possible teammates will look at the front office with increased scrutiny, which will harm any new players brought in or anyone affected by front office moves.


Emich is available for interviews, and can be contacted directly by clicking on his profile.

Connect with:
Kyle Emich

Kyle Emich

Associate Professor, Management

Prof. Emich's research explores the role of individual attributes in team dynamics and other collective environments.

Cognitive ProcessingLeadershipOrganizational BehaviorTeam DynamicsGroup Dynamics
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from University of Delaware

Artemis II and why repeated missions are essential to lunar success featured image

1 min

Artemis II and why repeated missions are essential to lunar success

Getting to the moon wasn’t a one-and-done kind of effort. It took repeated missions, each one teaching scientists and engineers something new, and each one making the next attempt a little smarter and a lot safer. That’s a big reason lunar success eventually became possible: people kept going back, gathering more data, fixing problems, and building confidence step by step. With all eyes on the Artemis II mission's final hours, University of Delaware space professor Bennett Maruca can talk all things space exploration and the race to the moon.  Have you ever wondered why Apollo 11 was named Apollo 11? It's because Apollo 1-10 were already taken! And mostly were fact-finding missions, with many barely leaving the ground, says Maruca.  Space program launches can cost billions of dollars. In order to ensure that they are successful, trial runs need to take place. Space travel leaves very little room for guesswork, and even small mistakes can have serious consequences. By launching multiple missions, experts could spot weaknesses, improve hardware, and make sure astronauts were better protected before taking on even bigger risks. In a way, each mission was like a rehearsal that made the final performances much more reliable. Maruca can reveal facts like this and more. He has been featured in multiple publications. Click his profile to learn more. 

Inside the Italian art heist: Experts explain the global fight to protect cultural heritage featured image

2 min

Inside the Italian art heist: Experts explain the global fight to protect cultural heritage

A lightning-fast art heist in Italy has reignited global concerns about museum security and the protection of cultural heritage. As investigators search for stolen works by some of history’s most celebrated artists, University of Delaware experts are available to help journalists unpack the broader implications. Earlier this month, thieves executed a highly coordinated robbery at the Magnani-Rocca Foundation, stealing paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne and Henri Matisse in a matter of minutes. Authorities say the operation was swift, targeted and likely premeditated – highlighting the evolving sophistication of art crime. The theft adds to a growing pattern of high-value art crimes across Europe, raising urgent questions about how institutions safeguard collections and what happens when culturally significant works disappear into illicit markets. UD experts are available to provide context, analysis and on-the-record commentary: Debra Hess Norris Chair, Department of Art Conservation A globally recognized leader in art conservation, Norris specializes in the protection, preservation and recovery of cultural heritage. She can speak to: How museums assess and mitigate security risks What happens after a major art theft The challenges of recovering stolen works in international markets How conservation science supports authentication and repatriation Jessica Horton Associate Professor of Art History Horton’s research examines global art histories and the movement of cultural objects across borders. She can discuss: Why stolen artworks matter beyond their monetary value Cultural ownership, repatriation and ethical considerations How art theft disrupts historical narratives and public access The broader cultural consequences of illicit art trafficking While headlines focus on the dramatic nature of art heists, the deeper story is about the fragility of cultural heritage – and the global effort required to protect it. To speak with Norris or Horton, email mediarelations@udel.edu.

Robotics help solve deep Sea Mysteries featured image

1 min

Robotics help solve deep Sea Mysteries

UD's College of Earth, Ocean and Environment uses robotics currently operated by the National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF) to study the depths of the ocean. These expeditions ranged from the East Pacific Rise to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The vehicles include the Human Occupied Vehicle (HOV) Alvin, the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Jason and the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Sentry. What it is: A CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) instrument is a key oceanography tool that collects deep-water samples using remotely triggered Niskin bottles at specific depths. How it helps: These measurements help scientists understand ocean processes, including carbon cycling and life systems, which are essential to understanding Earth’s overall functioning. To find out more or to speak with speak associate professor Andrew Wozniak about this deep-sea technology, reach out to MediaRelations@udel.edu.

View all posts
Powered by