Sex Roles

, Volume 5, Issue 3, pp 267–277 | Cite as

Perceptions of job characteristics and affective work outcomes for women and men

  • William E. Rosenbach
  • Robert C. Dailey
  • Cyril P. Morgan
Article

Abstract

One hundred twenty-three men and women participated in a study designed to assess their attitudes about job dimensions and affective work outcomes. This study found that very few differences existed between women's and men's perceptions of job dimensions and work outcomes. It was also shown that little difference existed between men's and women's perceptions of positive relationships between job dimension and affected work outcomes. The authors concluded that differences that exist in work attitudes are artifacts of hierarchical position and sex-role stereotyping and will disappear when women are allowed to move into jobs that are characterized by the presence of high levels of intrinsic job dimensions.

Keywords

Positive Relationship Social Psychology Work Attitude Work Outcome Hierarchical Position 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Armstrong, T. R. Job content and context factors related to satisfaction for different occupational levels. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1971, 55, 57–65.Google Scholar
  2. Centers, R., & Bugental, D. E. Intrinsic and extrinsic job motivations among different segments of the working population. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1956, 50, 193–197.Google Scholar
  3. Deaux, K., & Emswiller, T. Explanation of successful performance in sex linked tasks: What is skill for the male is luck for the female. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1974, 29, 80–85.Google Scholar
  4. Ewen, R. B. Some determinants of job satisfaction: A study of the generality of Herzberg's theory. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1964, 48, 161–163.Google Scholar
  5. Friedlander, F. Underlying sources of job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1963, 47, 246–250.Google Scholar
  6. Friedlander, F. Job characteristics as satisfiers and dissatisfiers. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1964, 48, 388–392.Google Scholar
  7. Hackman, J. R., & Lawler, E. E. Employee reactions to job characteristics. Journal of Applied Psychology Monograph, 1971, 55, 259–285.Google Scholar
  8. Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. Motivation through the design of work: Test of a theory. Tech Rpt. No. 6, Department of Administrative Sciences, Yale University, 1974. cm(a)Google Scholar
  9. Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. The Job Diagnostic Survey: An Instrument for the Diagnosis of Jobs and the Evaluation of Job Redesign Projects. Tech Rpt. No. 4, Department of Administrative Sciences, Yale University, 1974. cm(b)Google Scholar
  10. Herzberg, F. Work and the nature of man. Cleveland: World Publishing, 1966.Google Scholar
  11. Herzberg, F. Motivation-hygiene profiles. Organizational Dynamics, 1974, 3, 18–29.Google Scholar
  12. Herzberg, F., Mausner, B., & Snyderman, B. The motivation to work. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1959.Google Scholar
  13. House, R. J., & Wigdor, L. A. Herzberg's dual factor theory of job satisfaction and motivation: A review of the evidence and a criticism, Personnel Psychology, 1967, 20, 369–389.Google Scholar
  14. Hrebiniak, L. G. Effects of job level and participation on employee attitudes and perception of influence. Academy of Management Journal, 1974, 17, 649–662.Google Scholar
  15. Hunt, J. W., & Saul, P. N. The relationship of age, tenure, and job satisfaction in males and females. Academy of Management Journal, 1975, 18, 690–701.Google Scholar
  16. Kanter, R. M. The impact of hierarchical structures on the work behavior of women and men. Social Problems, 1976, 24, 415–430.Google Scholar
  17. Kraut, A. I., & Ronen, S. Validity of job facet importance: A multinational multicriteria study, Journal of Applied Psychology, 1975, 60, 671–677.Google Scholar
  18. Kuhlen, R. G. Needs, perceived need satisfaction opportunities, and satisfaction with occupation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1963, 47, 56–64.Google Scholar
  19. Lirtzman, S. I., & Wahba, M. A. A managerial myth: Differences in coalitional behavior of men and women in organizations. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, 1972, 32, 192–194.Google Scholar
  20. Myers, M. S. Who are your motivated managers? Harvard Business Review, 1966, 42, 73–88.Google Scholar
  21. Payne, R. L., & Mansfield, R. Relationships of perceptions of organizational climate to organizational structure, context, and hierarchical position. Administrative Science Quarterly, 1973, 18, 515–526.Google Scholar
  22. Reif, W. E., Newstrom, J. W. & Monczka, R. M. Exploding some myths about women managers. California Management Review, 1975, 17, 72–79.Google Scholar
  23. Rosenbach, W. E., Dailey, R. C., & Morgan, C. P. Differences among women in perceptions of their jobs. Academy of Management Proceedings, 1976, 36, 472–476.Google Scholar
  24. Saleh, S. D., and Lalljee, M. Sex and job orientation. Personnel Psychology, 1969, 22, 465–471.Google Scholar
  25. Shapiro, H. J. Job motivations of males and females: An empirical study. Psychological Reports, 1975, 36, 647–654.Google Scholar
  26. Wanous, J. P. Individual differences and reactions to job characteristics. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1974, 59, 616–622.Google Scholar
  27. Whitsett, D. A. & Winslow, E. K. An analysis of studies critical of the motivator-hygiene theory. Personnel Psychology, 1967, 20, 391–415.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Plenum Publishing Corporation 1979

Authors and Affiliations

  • William E. Rosenbach
    • 1
  • Robert C. Dailey
    • 2
  • Cyril P. Morgan
    • 3
  1. 1.Department of Behavioral Sciences and LeadershipUnited States Air Force AcademyUSA
  2. 2.Graduate School of Business AdministrationTulane UniversityUSA
  3. 3.College of Business and AdministrationUniversity of ColoradoUSA

Personalised recommendations