Method Versus Substance: How Strong are Underlying Relationships Between Job Characteristics and Attitudinal Outcomes?

A study was conducted to compare the relative strengths of the effects of method versus substance on relationships between job characteristics and attitudinal outcomes. Data were obtained through interviews with 631 individuals in 4 organizations, followed by card sorts and observations with most of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Academy of Management journal 1986-09, Vol.29 (3), p.441-464
Main Authors: Glick, William H, Jenkins, G Douglas, Gupta, Nina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Design
Employee attitude
Job requirements
Regression analysis
Relations
Statistical analysis
Studies
Task
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Summary:A study was conducted to compare the relative strengths of the effects of method versus substance on relationships between job characteristics and attitudinal outcomes. Data were obtained through interviews with 631 individuals in 4 organizations, followed by card sorts and observations with most of the interviewees. The data analysis included 48 items representing 5 constructs pertaining to job characteristics, 3 constructs pertaining to outcomes, and 3 method factors. Conclusions from the study include: 1. Job characteristics and outcomes were related to one another. 2. This relationship partially reflected common method effects. 3. Method effects varied with the theoretical issues under consideration. 4. Different outcomes were predictable from different theoretical perspectives. 5. It was inappropriate to treat specific job characteristics or specific outcomes as interchangeable.
ISSN:0001-4273
1948-0989
DOI:10.5465/256218