INFLUENCES BEHIND NEUTRAL RESPONSES IN SUBORDINATE RATINGS OF SUPERVISORS: A METHODOLOGICAL NOTE.

Isolation of the influences behind neutral responses is the chief concern of this paper. A sample of 416 assembly-line operators were asked to rate their supervisors according to an instrument which contained a list of positive supervisory traits and behaviors. Three rating options were provided: agree, don't know and disagree. It was hypothesized that over-all dissatisfaction with the subjects would be a significant influence behind neutral responses. Several methods of classifying raters into satisfied/dissatisfied groups were experimented with. The results generally supported the hypothesis, with some qualifications. Dissatisfied raters were found to give significantly more neutral responses than satisfied raters. However, rater nationality and age were also found to be significant influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]