1. Implications of a Measurement Problem for Expectancy Theory Research.
- Author
-
Schmidt, Frank L.
- Subjects
- *
MOTIVATION (Psychology) , *ORGANIZATIONAL behavior , *EMPLOYEE motivation , *PERSONNEL management , *INDUSTRIAL psychology , *EXPECTATION (Psychology) - Abstract
Expectancy theories of work motivation specify a multiplicative relationship between valence of job outcomes (V) and expectancy (E) that effort will lead to these outcomes. But both E and V are typically measured using scales lacking a rational zero point and thus at best interval in nature. Multiplication of such scales is theoretically not a meaningful operation. This paper demonstrates that transformations of E and V scales which change only the location of the nonmeaningful zero point can greatly alter obtained correlations between E × V and measures work motivation or effort. Two potential solutions to this problem are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 1973
- Full Text
- View/download PDF