Graduation Year

2008

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Granting Department

Psychology

Major Professor

Paul E. Spector, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Michael T. Brannick, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Russell Johnson, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Joseph A. Vandello, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Marcia Finklestein, Ph.D.

Keywords

Individualism, Collectivism, Facets, Affective, Work

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the implications of cultural dimensions on the relationship between job satisfaction facets, role stressors, and organizational commitment. Using data from 214 university employees, the moderating influence of individualistic and collectivistic orientations as expressed through four cultural dimensions (responsibility, affiliation, social welfare, and achievement) on those relationships were investigated. Results indicated that role ambiguity had a greater negative influence on affective commitment for those who were more cooperative as opposed to competitive in their achievement orientation; whereas the relationship between coworker and supervision satisfaction and affective commitment was stronger for those who endorsed an individualist achievement orientation. Responsibility was found to moderate the relationship between satisfaction with the nature of work and continuance commitment more strongly and negatively for those who endorsed a collectivist orientation. The prediction that the relationship between role stressors and normative commitment would be more negative for those endorsing a collectivist orientation of affiliation was supported. Support was also found for the more positive influence of a collectivist orientation of affiliation on the relationship between job satisfaction facets (coworkers and supervision) and normative commitment. Finally, support was found for the collectivist orientation of affiliation positively influencing the relationship of satisfaction with the nature of work with normative commitment.

Cross-cultural psychology has moved towards the inclusion of cultural dimensions into the study of psychological behavior in the workplace in a two-pronged approach: refining the theory of cross-cultural industrial/organizational psychology and determining the processes by which cultural dimensions are linked to work behaviors. This study aimed to tackle both approaches by extending the empirical research that is ongoing in the area and accelerating the theoretical development.

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