Research Interest: The Power of the Weak!

"My research explores subtle forms of influence by those with less power or status in organizations."

I study how individuals with lower power, rank, or social standing influence others and shape organizational outcomes—often in subtle, unexpected, or ethically complex ways. This focus grew from my experiences in China, where the collective often eclipsed the individual, and where I began to notice the quiet force of those who spoke up, resisted silently, or navigated power with subtlety. My current research explores three interrelated themes: how low-power individuals gain influence and navigate power dynamics; the unintended moral and relational costs of their influence attempts; and the often-overlooked value they bring to organizational life.

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Educational Background

2021.08-2026.06 (Expected)                           Singapore Management University                                       Ph.D. in Business (OBHR)

2018.09-2021.06                                                               Chongqing University                                           M.S. in Business Administration

2017.07-2017.08                                                   University of California, Los Angeles                                                   Exchange Student

2014.09-2018.06                                                                 Nantong University                                                               B.A. in Management

 Publication

• Chen, S., & Zhang, C. (2021) What Happens to a Black Sheep? Exploring How Multilevel LMX Differentiation Shapes the Organizational Altruism Behaviors of Low LMX Minority. Group & Organization Management, 46(6), 1073–1105. (ABS 3; ABDC-A)

Presentations

• Chen, S., Bashshsur, M. 2025. The Hidden Evil of Flattery: How the Low Power Yes-people Corrupt Powerholders. Paper presented at the 85th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Copenhagen, Denmark.

• Chen, S., Lim, J.H., Yan, L.X. 2025. When Amplification Undermines: Self-centric Voice Amplification and Leadership Emergence. Paper presented at the 85th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Copenhagen, Denmark.

• Chen, S., Bashshsur, M., Schaerer, M. 2024. How Followers Corrupt Their Leaders with Opinion Conformity and Flattery. Symposium at the 84th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Chicago, IL. Presenter.

• Chen, S., Bashshsur, M., Schaerer, M. 2024.  The Low Power Corrupts. Presented at the 7th Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Leadership Symposium, Thessaloniki, Greece.

• Chen, S., & Zhang, C. 2020. What Happens to A Black Sheep? The Effects of LMX Relational Separation on Organizational Altruism Behaviors and Relationship Conflicts. Paper presented at the 9th Biennial Conference of International Association for Chinese Management Research. (Online due to Coronavirus)

• Zhang, C., & Chen, S. 2019. CEO Learning Goal Orientation and Firm Innovation: Examining the CEO-TMT Interface. Paper presented at the 79th Annual Meeting of Academy of Management, Boston.

 Awards and Scholarships (Selected)

• 2025 The Best Paper with Practical Implications, MOC Division, Academy of Management

• 2024-2025 Singapore Management University Lim Kim San Fellowship

• 2024-2025 Singapore Management University Presidential Doctoral Fellowship

• 2023 Best Reviewer Award, OB Division, Academy of Management

• 2021-2025 Singapore Management University PhD Fellowship

• 2020 Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship

• 2017 Full Scholarship from Provincial Government for Overseas Studies at UCLA

• 2017 Provincial Outstanding Student Cadres (in Jiangsu Province, China)

• 2016-2018 National Encouragement Scholarship

• 2015 National Scholarship

Contact Information

Email: sychen.2021@pbs.smu.edu.sg