PAGSISIPSIP: An Exploration into the Social Construction of Self and Work Interests in Empire East Land Holdings Inc.

Abstract

The principal objective of this exploratory study is to conceptualize pagsisipsip in a Filipino workplace, particularly in real estate companies. The researcher aims to know how Filipino real estate consultants and sales managers in Empire East Land Holdings Inc. view and exhibit pagsisipsip in the workplace. In order to address the main problem, the study intends to uncover the definition, manifestations, perceived causes, implications, process, and boundaries of pagsisipsip. Data were gathered from ten participants who are composed of three sales managers and seven real estate consultants. The researcher applied phenomenological research by obtaining data from naïve description through an interview with open-ended questions, describing the experience based on the interpretation of the participant’s story. The researcher arrived at a definition, manifestations, perceived causes, implications, process, and boundaries of pagsisipsip through conceptual clustering where conceptually similar responses are classified into categories. According to the participants, pagsisipsip takes place between a sales manager and real estate consultant who are backed up with self-interests. From this interaction, sales team members create their own individual reality of the phenomenon and communicate it with each other thereby resulting into the establishment of a team reality. This refers to a degree where participants share a same view on the process and boundaries of the phenomenon which are later on interpreted and evaluated by the participants. It was discovered that pagsisipsip influences the sipsip, relationship between a real estate consultant and the sipsip, and the work performance of the real estate consultants.