Since its introduction more than four decades ago, threat-rigidity theory has emerged as a popular managerial theory of threat response used in a wide variety of literature streams. The theory explains that individuals, groups, and organizations revert to familiar responses (i.e., rigidity) in navigating threats, even when doing so may not be ideal. Yet, despite its popularity, fidelity to the theory’s assumptions and core arguments have been missing, and development of the theory has been limited. As organizations continue facing new and unique threats (e.g., advancing technologies, economic downturns, supply chain disruptions, global health crises), a review and synthesis of threat-rigidity theory is necessary to drive new knowledge and allow for better understanding of the conditions around and appropriateness of rigidity. Our assessment of the literature reveals several gaps to address, which inform three primary directions for future research. We encourage future scholars to (a) clarify the nature of threats that elicit rigid responses, (b) explore the contextual factors and boundary conditions of the theory, and (c) utilize advanced methodological approaches to examine rigidity effects and outcomes across levels and over time. We provide guidance and sample research questions in each of the proposed directions for scholars to use in future efforts to refine or enhance threat-rigidity theory.

中文翻译：

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旧习惯顽固难：威胁僵化文献的回顾和评估


自四十多年前提出以来，威胁刚性理论已成为一种流行的威胁响应管理理论，用于各种文献流中。该理论解释说，个人、团体和组织在应对威胁时会恢复到熟悉的反应（即僵化），即使这样做可能并不理想。然而，尽管它很受欢迎，但对理论假设和核心论点的忠实度一直缺失，理论的发展受到限制。随着组织继续面临新的和独特的威胁（例如，技术进步、经济衰退、供应链中断、全球健康危机），有必要对威胁-刚性理论进行审查和综合，以驱动新知识并更好地理解周围的条件和刚性的适当性。我们对文献的评估揭示了几个需要解决的差距，这些差距为未来研究的三个主要方向提供了信息。我们鼓励未来的学者 （a） 阐明引发刚性反应的威胁的性质，（b） 探索理论的背景因素和边界条件，以及 （c） 利用先进的方法论方法来检查不同级别和不同时间的刚性效应和结果。我们在每个拟议的方向中都提供了指导和示例研究问题，供学者在未来改进或增强威胁刚性理论的努力中使用。