Relationships in an organization can either be described as formal or informal.

Social exchange theories originated in sociology and social psychology. These provide conceptions of interpersonal relationships as exchange relationships, in which each actor engages to maximize the value they receive.

Networking refers to the deliberate cultivation of negative relationships with individuals, that may be helpful in direct exchanges or indirectly, through their links to third parties.

In general, the activities that help to build and maintain relationships include supportive, appreciative, informative, inclusive, empowering, validating and respectful behaviours.

Assertiveness, which refers to a process of interpersonal communication that is not respectful of either one’s own, or the other party’s, needs, rights and interests.

The psychological contract refers to the individual beliefs about how managers should treat employees, in order to avoid psychological stress

Cabals are informal groups that attempt to push views, supported by members, to enhance their status and position.

Organizational justice is concerned with the application of the organization’s formal discipline procedures against employees, in relation to legality and fairness.

Trust refers to the degree to which a person is prepared to make themselves invulnerable to another person, despite certainty about the other’s possible actions.

One of the stages in repairing broken trust, identified in the text, suggests that you tell the other party that you value the relationship and that you focus the conversation on the important aspects.