Foster School of Business
University of Washington
Box: 353226
Seattle, WA 98195-3200
Elizabeth Umphress
- Professor of Management William D. Bradford Endowed Professor
- Faculty Director of Consulting and Business Development Center
Education
- PhD Tulane University (2003)
- BA University of Texas (1997)
Academic Expertise
- diversity
- ethics
- inclusion
- organizational behavior
Current Research
- Ethical Decision Making, Organizational Justice, Diversity Issues
Positions Held
- Professor at the University of Washington since 2020
- Associate Professor at the University of Washington, 2011-2020
- Associate Professor at Texas A&M University, 2009-2011
- Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, 2003-2009
Selected Publications
- “Does identification hurt or help under identity threat? The exacerbating role of identity centrality and the buffering role of coworker solidarity on identity protection behaviors“Journal Article:Johnson, H. H., Umphress, E. E., Bates, J. T., Parkinson, S., & Sheppard, L. D., (in press). Academy of Management Journal,
- “Good intentions, bad behavior: A review and synthesis of the literature on unethical prosocial behavior (UPB) at work.“Journal Article:Mo, S., Lupoli, M. J., Newman, A., Umphress, E. E., (2023). Journal of Organizational Behavior, Vol. 44, pp. 335-354.
- “The ethics of diversity ideology: Consequences of leader diversity ideology on ethical leadership perceptions and organizational citizenship behavior“Journal Article:Dang, C. T., Volpone, S., Umphress, E. E., (2023). Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 108, pp. 307-329.
- “Applying Procedural Justice to Sexual Harassment Policies, Procedures, and Practice“Journal Article:E. Umphress & Thomas (Eds.), (2022). National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,
- “Insights on how we try to show empathy, respect, and inclusion in AMJ“Journal Article:Umphress, E., Rink, F., Muir, Cindy P. (Zapata), Hideg, I., (2022). 2nd ed., Vol. 65, pp. 363-370.
- “How Organizations Can Take a Lead in Protecting Reproductive Rights“Journal Article:Thomason, B., Chawla, N., Gabriel, A., Greenberg, D., Lambert, C., Moergen, K., Sumpter, D., Umphress, E., (2022).
- “Strong body, clear mind: Physical activity bolsters self-control capacity and shields individuals against supervisor interpersonal injustice“Journal Article:Watkins, T., & Umphress. E. E., (2020). Personnel Psychology, Vol. 73, pp. 641-667.
- “Feeling activated and acting unethically: The influence of activated mood on unethical behavior to help a teammate and self-interested unethical behavior“Journal Article:Umphress, E. E., Gardner, R. G., Leavitt, K., & Stoverink, A. C., (2020). Personnel Psychology, Vol. 73, pp. 95-123.
- “It’s not black and white: Toward a contingency perspective on the consequences of being a token“Journal Article:Watkins, M., Simmons, A., & Umphress, E. E., (2019). Academy of Management Perspectives, Vol. 33, pp. 334-365.
- “To help my supervisor: Identification, moral identity, and unethical pro-supervisor behavior“Journal Article:Johnson, H., & Umphress, E. E., (2019). Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 159, pp. 519-534.
- “Leader social accounts of subordinates’ unethical behavior: Examining observer reactions to leader social accounts with moral disengagement language“Journal Article:Dang, C. T., Umphress, E. E., Mitchell, M., (2017). Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 102, pp. 1448-1461.
- “Misery loves company: Team dissonance and the influence of supervisor-focused interpersonal justice climate on team cohesiveness“Journal Article:Stoverink, A.C., Umphress, E.E., Gardner, R.G., & Miner, K.N., (2014). Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 99, pp. 1059-1073.
- “Observer reactions to interpersonal injustice: The roles of perpetrator intent and victim perception“Journal Article:Umphress, E.E., Simmons, A.L., Folger, R., Ren, R., & Bobocel, R., (2013). Journal of Organizational Behavior, Vol. 34, pp. 327-349.
- “Formal Infrastructure and Ethical Decision-Making: Empirical Investigation and Implications for Supply Management“Journal Article:Rottig, D., Koufteros, X., & Umphress, E.E., (2011). Decision Sciences Journal, Vol. 42, pp. 163-204.
- “When employees do bad things for good reasons. A motivational model for unethical pro-organizational behavior“Journal Article:Umphress, E.E.,& Bingham, J.B., (2011). Organization Science, Vol. 22, pp. 621-640.
- “Unethical Behavior in the Name of the Company: The Moderating Effect of Organizational Identification and Positive Reciprocity Beliefs on Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior“Journal Article:Umphress, E.E., Bingham, J.B., & Mitchell, M.S., (2010). Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 95, pp. 769-780.
- “The Influence of Distributive Justice on Lying for and Stealing from a Supervisor“Journal Article:Umphress, E.E., Ren, L.R., Bingham, J.B., & Gogus, C.I, (2009). Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 86, pp. 507-518.
- “Managing Discrimination in Selection: The Influence of Directives from an Authority and Social Dominance Orientation“Journal Article:Umphress, E.E., Simmons, A.L., Boswell, W.R., & Triana, M.C., (2008). Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 93, pp. 982-993.
- “When Birds of a Feather Flock Together and When They Do Not: Status Composition, Social Dominance Orientation, and Organizational Attractiveness“Journal Article:Umphress, E.E., Smith-Crowe K., Brief, A.P., Dietz, J., & Watkins, M.B., (2007). Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 92, pp. 396-409.
- “Fairness at the Top: Procedural Justice and Collaborative Problem Solving in New Product Development“Journal Article:Li, H., Bingham, J.B., & Umphress, E.E., (2007). Organization Science, Vol. 18, pp. 200-216.
- “Community Matters: Realistic Group Conflict Theory and the Impact of Diversity“Journal Article:Brief, A.P., Umphress, E.E., Dietz, J., Burrows, J.W., Butz, R.M., & Scholten, L., (2005). Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 48, pp. 830-944.
- “High procedural fairness heightens the effect of outcome favorability on self-evaluations: An attributional analysis“Journal Article:Brockner, J., Heuer, L., Magner, N., Folger, R., Umphress, E. E., Van den Bos, K., Vermunt, R., Magner, M., & Siegel, P., (2003). Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Vol. 91, pp. 51-68.
- “Building houses on rocks: The role of the ethical infrastructure in organizations“Journal Article:Tenbrunsel, A. E., Smith-Crowe, K., & Umphress, E. E., (2003). Social Justice Research, Vol. 16, pp. 285-307.
- “The role of instrumental and expressive social network ties in employees’ perceptions of organizational justice“Journal Article:Umphress, E. E., Labianca, G., Brass, D. J., Kass, E., & Scholten, L., (2003). Organization Science, Vol. 14, pp. 738-753.
- “Is virtue its own reward? Self-sacrificial decisions for the sake of fairness“Journal Article:Turillo, C. J., Folger, R., Lavelle, J. J., Umphress, E. E., & Gee, J. O., (2002). Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Vol. 89, pp. 839-865.
- “Emulation in academia: Balancing structure and identity“Journal Article:Labianca, G., Fairbank, J. F., Thomas, J. B., Gioia, D. A., & Umphress, E. E., (2001). Organization Science, Vol. 12, pp. 312-330.
Honors and Awards
- Winner of the Saroj Parasuraman Outstanding Publication Award from the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division of the Academy of Management
- Star Teacher Winter Quarter Executive & Hybrid MBA, University of Washington, 2024.
- Hybrid MBA Excellence in Teaching Award (Class of 2023), University of Washington, 2023.
- Star Teacher Winter Quarter Executive & Hybrid MBA, University of Washington, 2023.
- Star Teacher Winter Quarter Executive & Hybrid MBA, University of Washington, 2022.
- Star Teacher Autumn & Winter Quarter Executive & Hybrid MBA, University of Washington, 2021.
- UW Population Health Initiative Grant to Support Minority Owned Businesses During the COVID Pandemic. Principal Awarded with Jennifer Fan ($20,000), 2020
- Hybrid MBA Excellence in Teaching Award (Class of 2020), University of Washington, 2020
- Professor of the Quarter, Master of Science in Entrepreneurship Program, University of Washington, 2020
- Star Teacher Winter Quarter Hybrid MBA, University of Washington, 2020
- Professor of the Year, Master of Science in Entrepreneurship (Class of 2019), University of Washington, 2019
- Star Teacher Winter Quarter Executive & Hybrid MBA, University of Washington, 2019
- Star Teacher Autumn Quarter, Master of Science in Entrepreneurship, University of Washington, 2018
- Star Teacher Winter Quarter Executive & Global MBA, University of Washington, 2018
- Star Teacher Autumn Quarter Undergraduate, Master of Supply Chain Management & Entrepreneurship, University of Washington, 2017
- Star Teacher Winter Quarter Executive MBA, University of Washington, 2017
- Star Teacher Autumn Quarter Undergraduate, University of Washington, 2016
- Pacific Coast Banking School Dean's Leadership Award, University of Washington, 2016
- Evert McCabe Endowed Fellowship, University of Washington, 2016 - present
- Star Teacher Winter Quarter Executive MBA, University of Washington, 2016
- Star Teacher Winter Quarter Executive MBA, University of Washington, 2015
- Faculty Advisor to the Foster MBA Team that earned 1st Place in a National MBA Ethics Case Competition, 2015
- Core Professor of the Year, Evening MBA (Class of 2015), University of Washington, 2014
Academic Service
- Associate Editor, Academy of Management Journal, 2019-2022
- Editorial Board Member, Academy of Management Journal, 2010-2019, 2022-present
- Editorial Board Member, Academy of Management Review, 2005-2017
- Editorial Board Member, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 2007-2019
- Reviewer, Administrative Science Quarterly, 2006-present
- Reviewer, Journal of Applied Psychology, 2005-present
Courses Taught
- Dr. Umphress teaches Dynamics of Negotiations and Ethical Leadership to executives and MBAs at the University of Washington. She has extensive consulting and executive education experience. She has conducted executive education programs for companies such as Microsoft and ExxonMobil. She specializes in teaching executives Strategic Communications and Negotiations and Ethical Leadership. Her consulting work focuses on helping employees feel empowered and more productive in the workplace. She has worked with companies such as NASA, Citigroup, and Lockheed Martin.
- Dr. Umphress has received the Hybrid MBA Excellence in Teaching Award (2023, 2022, 2020), Professor of the Year for Masters of Science in Entrepreneurship (2019) and the Evening MBA (2014) programs, and recognized as a Star Teacher for exemplary teaching every year since joining the faculty at the University of Washington. In addition, she was the recipient of two teaching awards from her former institution. Further, she is committed to teaching and mentoring doctoral students, exemplified by authoring sixteen publications with current or former doctoral students.