Review of Literature
Review of Literature
Review of Literature
desired by the people. This approach seeks to improve the quality of working life.
Rajappa (1978) found in his study that organizations with achievement oriented climate
were highly productive.
Kumar and Bohra (1978), studied relationship of workers job satisfaction with
their perception about existing organizational climate. Results revealed that perceived
organizational climate effects workers job satisfaction significantly. Workers perceiving
organizational climate as democratic had increase in job satisfaction as compared to
those who perceived organizational climate as autocratic or undecided.
Sayeed and Sinha (1981) examined the relationship between Quality of Work
Life dimensions, job satisfaction and performance measures on the two groups of
sample working in high Quality of Work Life and low Quality of Work Life
organizations. The result revealed that Quality of Work Life dimensions are related to
job satisfaction in both the types of organizations. A comparison between high and low
Quality of Work Life organization further indicated systematic variation in the
correlation pattern i.e. organization with low Quality of Work Life tended to yield
comparatively better relationship between Quality of Work Life dimensions and
performance measures than the organization with high Quality of Work Life.
Ambrosini (1983) while reviewing the literature on Quality of Work Life found
the decline of work centered approach and the growth of interest in the relationship
between work and non-work sphere. The prime perspective adopted during 1960 and
1970 are summarized, citing the emphasis on organizational and socio-technical studies
of post Taylorist labour transformation. The emergence of the concept of Subjective
work experience than documented stressing the importance of the time dimensions and
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work flexibility as determinant of Quality of Work Life. Singh (1983) made an attempt
to improve Quality of Work Life by recognizing work and eliminating split-up goals
and thereby, made work satisfying and productive.
Singhal (1983), emphasized on the job quality of life where it is pointed out that
quality of working life (Quality of Work Life) will be meaningful if the people working
in organization live a happy life in society. Economic, family and health related aspects
to which employees are exposed as member of larger significant-society are significant
factors that influence their quality of working life (Quality of Work Life) experience.
He also made a point that Quality of Work Life is a time and situation bound concept
that requires constant revisions and modifications as psycho-socio and organizational
contents change over time.
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450 employees of company, results showed 7 predictors of Quality of Work Life, which
extended beyond job content.7 predictors, were (i) Organization to which supervisors
show respect and have confidence in employees abilities. (ii) Variety in a daily work
routine (iii) Work challenge (iv) Organization to which present work leads to good
future opportunities (v) Self-esteem (vi) Extent to which life outside work affects work,
and (vii) Extent to which work contributes to society.
Hartenstein and Huddleston (1984) enumerated that for Quality of Work Life
measures to be successful, management and labour must have shared values, without
such values, managers are often authoritarian and deny workers sense of involvement,
responsibility and autonomy, resulting in the workers lack of commitment and low
productivity.
Rice (1984-85), found out the relationship between work satisfaction and quality
of life. Work experience and outcomes can affect person's general quality of life both
directly or indirectly through their effects on family interaction, leisure activities and
levels of health and energy. Modification in workplace can have their effect by
changing environment or changing worker's own class and they can affect his quality
and family life.
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Sengupta and Sekaran (1985), studied bank employees and found, Quality of
Work Life in bank is not high and he gave reasons for the same. External environment
(government and union interference) facing the banks are seen as impendent to take
effective actions by banks. Findings showed that government formulating broad
policies, leave it to banks to attain goal by whichever means they think, greater
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decentralization, more autonomy and power will facilitate banks to recruit right people,
design job as per requirements, rewards employee differentially on the basis of
performance and enhance Quality of Work Life and offer quality service to people.
Chakraborty (1986) found out that there are many organizational situations
which indicate hidden realities of Quality of Work Life. Researchers are required to
examine Quality of Work Life in light of new paradigm based on study of Indian
psycho-philosophy offered from a strict problem-solving point of view and may have
relevance to educate predicting managers.
Sinha (1986) enumerated that modern workers demand jobs that satisfy their
inner needs. In the light of the content and process theories of motivation, it is
postulated that the popular way of determining Quality of Work Life is to measure the
attitude that constitutes job satisfaction. Moreover, it is also suggested that the prospects
of better Quality of Work Life in India have to take sociological, psychological and
related context into account.
Rao (1986) investigated the difference between quality of working life of men
and women employees doing comparable work and examined the effect of work on
women. The result revealed that there were significant higher composite qualities of
working life scores for men than for women employees. Men employees had
significantly higher scores for opportunity to learn their skills, challenge in job and
discretionary elements in works. The findings also advocated that age and income have
positive impact on perceived Quality of Work Life for women. Further, Rao did not
found significant correlation between Quality of Work Life and the quality of life for
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Dhillon and Dandona (1988) conducted a study on Quality of Work Life and
Job Involvement: A comparative study of managers of public and private banks. The
study found significant difference in Quality of Work Life variable related to job
involvement in public and private sector banks.
Mee Lin and Bain (1990) have studies relationship between Quality of Work
Life programmes and organizational performance measures through a review of 27
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Fields and Thacker (1992) investigated the influence of Quality of Work Life on
company and union commitment after the implementation of the joint union
management Quality of Work Life perceived the Quality of Work Life effort as
successful programme. Results indicated that company commitment emerged only
when participant but union commitment increased irrespective of the perception of
Quality of Work Life success.
Karrier and Khurana (1996) examined the relationships among Quality of Work
Life and six background variables viz., age, educational qualification, experience,
native/migrant, number of dependents and income level and three motivational
variables viz., satisfaction, job involvement and work involvement of 491 managers
from the public, private and cooperative sector industries. The findings of the study
indicate that managers with higher motivation have higher Quality of Work Life
perception. Moreover, the results also advocate that educational qualification of
managers, size of the organization, job involvement and job satisfaction are significant
predictors of Quality of Work Life. Karrier and Khurana (1996), found managers with
increased job satisfaction and more job involvement had perception of increased
Quality of Work Life.
Srivastava (1996) pointed out that organizational climate and higher order needs
(self-esteem, autonomy and self-actualization) are positively related to job involvement.
This study has not denoted variables which had been undertaken for study as term
Quality of Work Life but also organizational climate, higher order needs and all other
bio-social needs which are determinants of Quality of Work Life. Therefore, it is not
always necessary to use the term Quality of Work Life but the variables are attributed to
the aspect referring to Quality of Work Life.
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Nasreen and Ansari (1997) conducted a study on supervisors and middle level
managers and reported that socio-psycho personality variables failed to influence
Quality of Work Life perceptions. Barkat and Ansari (1997) found significant influence
of job tenure and number of promotions earned on perceived Quality of Work Life. The
above two studies did not include job involvement but are important to highlight
relationship of biographical and psycho-social personality variable in relation to Quality
of Work Life. Job involvement is a phenomenon which is outcome of perception of
increase Quality of Work Life in which aspects like identification with work,
organization, as well as incumbent conductive conditions. Most appropriate to work and
working environment as above all variables combined together determine level of job
involvement.
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Chan, et a1. (2000) compared the experiences of work stress, work satisfaction
and mental health on 2,589 managers and workers from six different professions and
para-professions, namely; general practitioners, lawyers, engineers, teachers, nurses,
and life insurance personals. Results showed that performance pressures and work
family conflicts were perceived to be the most stressful aspects of work. Two of the
stressors contributed to the overall work stress. Further, stress arising due to work,
family conflicts, performance pressure and poor job prospect was negatively associated
with level of work satisfaction. These findings were discussed in contexts of increasing
professionalization, and de professionalization and growing emphasis on productivity
and efficiency in a quickly developing economy.
Sirgy et al. (2002) developed a new measure of Quality of Work Life based on
need satisfaction and spillover theories. The measure was designed to capture the extent
to which the work environment, job requirement, supervisory behaviour, and ancillary
programmes in an organization are perceived to meet the needs of employees. Seven
major needs were identified, each having several dimensions. There are: (a) Health and
safety needs, (b) Economic and family needs (c) Social needs, (d) esteem needs (c)
selfactualization needs, (f) knowledge needs, (g) Aesthetic needs. The measures
convergent and discrimination validities were tested and the data provided support to
construct validity of Quality of Work Life measuring. Further the measure nomological
predictive validity was tested by hypothesis deduced from spill over theory.
Morin and Audebrand (2003) indicated that one major issue in the development
of Quality of Work Life practices is the primacy of financial growth to the detriment of
values such as health and social welfare. They also viewed that organizational
performance is assessed with two or three financial indicators such as return on
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investment, profit per share, and net revenues. Although these indicators are essential to
profitable organizations but they do not give a complete picture of the firms
performance. Moreover, they are the tangible results of added value from the
personnels creativity and their effective use of the technologies in their work
environment. Common sense dictates that healthy employees can be dedicated to their
work and can exercise their skills and their imagination to achieve their work goals and
to constantly improve their work processes. The opposite is also sensible that unhealthy
employees cannot exert their strengths to add value to their work. Consequently, in the
short term, the overemphasis on financial indicators could pay off for the managers. But
in the long term, it could lead to the shrinkage of financial performance.
Raduan et al. (2006) in a study to determine the level and relationship between
qualities of work life (Quality of Work Life) with career-related variables revealed that
the three exogenous variables are significant such as career satisfaction, career
achievement and career balance with 63% of the variance in Quality of Work Life. The
respondents appeared to be satisfied in respect to the level of Quality of Work Life
(49.5%), career achievement (70.3%), career satisfaction (63.8%), but less so for career
balance (36.6%). These findings contribute to an understanding of ways by top
management in attempts to attain a career fit between the needs of the employees and
the needs of the organization.
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2.2 Ego-Strength :
Ego-Strength is a measure of the effectiveness with which the ego is performing
its tasks of adapting to the demands of reality. The ability of the ego to incorporate,
synthesize and integrate reality is an indicator of Ego-Strength. Ego-Strength gives an
individual the capacity to take the negative experiences of life successfully, without
becoming submerged in them. Thus Ego-Strength is "effective personal functioning."
Cooper et al. (1962) investigated the hypothesis that positive changes in ego
functioning would occur in psychiatric patients following a few hours of perceptual
deprivation and social isolation. Cartwrights modification of Klopfers Rorschach
Prognostic Rating Scale was used as a measure of overall adequacy of ego functioning.
The results supported the hypothesis. Significant increases were found on the overall
scale score and on the two of the three component scores. A second finding was that
subjects who functioned least adequately prior to deprivation showed the most
improvement after exposure to deprivation. The changes observed on the Rorschach
measures were consistent with previously reported post deprivation changes in overt
symptomatology.
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adaptation has not been complete. Case studies clearly suggest poor Ego-Strength as
reflected in poor adaptation to social reality.
Duffy and Kanak (1975) have conducted two experiments contrasted the effects
of high and low Ego-Strength on confidence thresholds (FG scores) under the
anticipation and recall methods. High Ego-Strength resulted in larger FG scores under
the anticipation method- weakly so in experiment I but significantly so in experiment II,
where subjects were selected from greater extremes of Ego-Strength. This inferiority
extended to trials to criterion and a measure of the associative-learning stage as well.
Task for extending the generality of the obtained relationship of Ego-Strength and
confidence thresholds in paired associate learning are suggested.
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Singh and Singh (1992) examined the effects of role stress, organizational
climate and Ego-Strength on the psychological strains namely environmental
frustration, anger reactions, latent hostility and job anxiety of middle level managers.
Results indicated significant differences (a) between environmental frustration, anger
reaction and job anxiety in high and low stress group, (b) between job anxiety in high
and low organizational climate group and (c) between job anxieties in high and low
Ego-Strength groups. However, the interactional effects of all the three variables on
psychological strain were found to be statistically significant.
Adams and Marshall (1996) in their study on identity offered as one proposition
that identity is shaped by the living systems around the individual and, in turn,
adolescents will shape and change these same living systems. Indeed, they identified
five common functions of identity that incorporate varying representations of the
EgoStrengths. The essences of these functions are: (a) structure for understanding, (b)
meaning and direction, (c) personal control and free will, (d) consistency, coherence,
and harmony, and (e) recognition of potential.
Ego-Strength has a role not only in individual assessment and functioning but
also in group assessment and functioning. Bernadett-Shapiro (1998) contend that
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Freeman (2001) conducted a study with the purpose to investigate the extent to
which measures of Ego-Strength contribute to the prediction of academic achievement.
Significant relationships were found between and among the five psychosocial
EgoStrengths such as Hope, Will, Purpose, Competence and Fidelity. Several
relationships were found between students psychosocial Ego-Strength attributes and
parents educational levels. A positive significant relationship was found between the
total EgoStrength and academic achievement. Some differences were found between
race and the Hope subscale, faith participation, and faith importance. Race was also
found to have a significant influence on the predictive relationships between psychosocial total Ego-Strength and academic achievement. Total Ego-Strength was found to
be a significant predictor of academic achievement.
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Bakken and Huber (2005) examined the ego development of White women and
Black men who were in cross-racial relationships. Twenty-one participants completed
in-depth, individual interviews, focus group inquiries and the Sentence Completion Test
(SCT). The results indicate that a majority of the participants scored at the higher levels
of ego development: 50% of the Black males and 67% of the White females were at the
conscientious stage of ego development, 25% of the Black males and 22% of the White
females were at the individuated stage. The results from the interviews and the focus
groups substantiated the participants scores on the SCT, exemplifying the complexity
in which Black men and White women perceive themselves as individuals and others in
relationships.
Dinesh (2006) in his study on Ego-Strength among males and females found
that males have higher Ego-Strength as compared to females their counterparts.
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Moller et al. (2006) in his study on Ego-Strength assessed mood to rule it out as
a mediator. The BMIS mood measures contained two subscales (pleasant-unpleasant
and arousal-calm). A MANOVA was conducted using condition as the independent
variable and the two BMIS subscales as dependent variables. The overall effect and the
effect on its different subscale were found to be non-significant. Thus, effect did not
mediate the result on Ego-Strength. He has also assessed intrinsic motivation i.e.
interest/ enjoyment for the activity to rule it out as a mediator of Ego-Strength effects.
Specifically, this measure was intended to differentiate persistence that reflects
selfregulatory strength from persistence that reflects intrinsic motivation. An ANOVA
was conducted using condition as the independent variable and interest as dependent
variable. The effect was found not significant indicating that intrinsic motivation on the
persistence activity was not affected by choice on the initial activity or intrinsic
motivation.
Ribeiro and Hauser (2009) investigated the impact of ego development on the
psychosocial functioning of young adults with (high-risk) and without (normative)
psychiatric history. Results show an association between those two variables, especially
strong for the high-risk group. High-risk individuals with successful psychosocial
functioning exhibited levels of ego development more similar to those of normative
young adults than to those of the remaining high-risk individuals. Moreover, as
predicted, ego development mediated the relationship between psychiatric history and
psychosocial functioning. Further, support was found for the protective role of ego
development, especially for individuals with psychiatric history.
Pestonjee et al. (2010) in a study to find out the critical influence of EgoStrength
on the job performance and job satisfaction relationship among blue-collar industrial
workers revealed no significant moderating effect of Ego-Strength on job performance
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and job satisfaction relationships. The sub-group analysis among industrial workers also
indicated negligible moderating effect of Ego-Strength on job performance and job
satisfaction.
Job Attitudes and job performance are perhaps the two most central and
enduring sets of constructs in individual-level organizational research. Authors of early
qualitative reviews concluded that only weak support existed for the relationship
between Job Attitude, job satisfaction, and supervisor ratings or output measures of job
performance (Brayfield & Crockett, 1955). A common inference in those reviews was
that Job Attitudes were more strongly related to absence, turnover, and other forms of
work role withdrawal than they were to in-role performance (Herzberg, Mausner,
Peterson, & Capwell, 1957; Vroom, 1964). Subsequent quantitative reviews also failed
to show Job Attitudes as having strong predictive utility. One meta-analysis reported a
lackluster value as the best estimate of the correlation between satisfaction and
performance (Iaffaldano & Muchinsky, 1985).
Zajac, 1990). Consequently, the pendulum of causal potency has swung away from Job
Attitudes (Judge et al. 2001). One widely held view is that attitudes are inconsistent or
epiphenomenal forces in work behaviour as Locke & Latham (1990) found only 3 to 4
percent of performance variance and have little practical importance for managers.
Steers & Porter (1983), Walton (1985) and Miller & Monge (1986) confirm that
proponents of job enrichment and quality-of-work-life intervention have cited specific
improvements in Job Attitudes, specifically job satisfaction and Organizational
Commitment.
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Job related attitudes play a major role in shaping the work behaviours of
managers in organizations. Lynn et al. (1990) have developed a theoretical model to
describe the differential relationship that organizational attitudes such as Organizational
Commitment and satisfaction and Job Attitudes like Job involvement and satisfaction
have with several behaviour intentions (turnover, absenteeism and performance).
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Weiss and Cropanzano (1996) viewed that different attitudes have different
mixes or relative proportions of affective and cognitive elements. Extending this idea
and applying it to psychological ownership, they propose that psychological ownership
is different from other work-related attitudes and has unique explanatory power because
its conceptual core is feelings of possession that trigger affect-driven behaviours. In
other words, psychological ownership consists, in part, of an emotional attachment to
the organization that transcends the mere cognitive evaluation of the firm.
On the other hand Pierce et al. (2001) examined the relationships between
psychological ownership for the organization and employee work attitudes
(Organizational Commitment, job satisfaction and self-concept) and two different kinds
of employees work behaviours (performance and organizational citizenship). They
have started with a brief summary of the psychology of possession literature (e.g.,
Furby, 1978). They have further discussed psychological ownership for the organization
and develop hypotheses based on the psychology of ownership and property literatures.
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They tested their predictions with three field samples and concluded by discussing both
theoretical and practical implications of their work.
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Semmer (1998) and Terry & Jimmieson (1999) revealed that resources at work
such as job control are in general positively related to wellbeing, health and job-related
attitudes. Moreover, job demands like job complexity and variety have the same effects
on well-being and job-related attitudes as resources at work as long as they do not
overtax a persons capabilities and as long as they allow utilizing ones skills,
knowledge, and abilities and, therefore, promoting learning.
Reddy, 1985; Mayer et al., 1989; Shore and Martina, 1989; Rai and Sinha, 2000; Angel
and Lawson, 1994). Riketta (2002) has noted a positive relation between attitudinal
Organizational Commitment and job performance and identified moderators of this
correlation. Research conducted within this framework has indicated that commitment
is not only a predictor of employee retention (Porter, et al. 1974) but may also be a
predictor of employee effort and performance (Mowday, et al. 1979; Robert, 1997;
Manikandan, 2002).
Parker & Bradley (2000) found that the public-private distinction brings
important differences not only in organizational structure, diversity of goals and
resources but in Job Attitudes and behavioural intentions as well.
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with 572 workers in traditional jobs with long lasting training revealed lower job
control and task complexity/ variety and higher uncertainty among call agents.
However, time pressure, concentration demands, and work interruptions were lower in
call agents. Within the call agent sample, controlling for negative affectivity and other
working conditions, job control predicted intention to quit, and job complexity/ variety
predicted job satisfaction and Affective Commitment. Social stressors and task-related
stressors predicted uniquely indicators of well-being and job-related attitudes.
Saari and Judge (2004) in their study on employee attitudes and job satisfaction
identified three major gaps between HR practice and the scientific research in the area
of employee attitudes in general and the most focal employee attitude in particular i.e.
job satisfaction: (1) the causes of employee attitudes, (2) the results of positive or
negative job satisfaction and (3) how to measure and influence employee attitudes. In
addition, researchers provide more in-depth understanding of the effects of employee
attitudes and job satisfaction on organizational measures such as customer satisfaction
and financial measures. Greater insights on the relationship between employee attitudes
and business performance will assist HR professionals as they strive to enhance the
essential people side of the business in a highly competitive and global arena.
Gagne (2005) in his study found that some individuals feel honored if delicate
with responsibility and authority to perform complex tasks. Such employees in order to
meet the expectation perform outwardly and it ultimately increasing work motivation
and job satisfaction. When people perform effectively at these jobs, they experience
satisfaction of the basic psychological needs and have positive attitudes toward their
jobs
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evidence suggests that employee ownership may have positive effects on such variables
as affective Organizational Commitment or work satisfaction through three phenomena
such as the mere ownership of equity stocks, the financial rewards related to stock
ownership and the information and participation rights related to some employee
ownership schemes. However, as suggested by cross-cultural management theory, the
attitudinal effects of management practices depend on the fit between the assumptions,
values, and beliefs inherent in any given managerial practice and the culturally based
assumptions, values and beliefs held by those who are being managed.
Sirin (2009) carried out a study to determine whether the job satisfaction of research
assistants at Schools of Physical Education and Sport and their attitudes to university
lecturers varies at a meaningful level regarding some variables and to find out the
correlation between them. The research assistants points and general job satisfaction,
sub dimension of job satisfaction and quality of job satisfaction, image of the
institution, satisfaction of job security, satisfaction with academic atmosphere, and
executive consultant, communication and satisfaction points with colleagues did not
vary according to the different age variable. On the other hand, differences at a
meaningful level in the points of salary satisfaction according to the age variable were
confirmed. According to the research assistants service period variable, no differences
were found in the job satisfaction, the sub dimension of job satisfaction and in the
average of the points of lecturers. A moderate positive versatility among general job
satisfaction with regard to research assistants attitude to lecturers, satisfaction from the
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job quality and image of the institute, communication and the satisfaction with
colleagues as the sub dimension of job satisfaction was confirmed.
Allen & Meyer (1993), Buchanan (1974) and Hall (1977) have found a positive
relationship between an employees age and time with the organization and their level
of commitment. Studies have also found that employee traits such as leadership and
communication styles have an effect on Organizational Commitment (Decottis &
Summers, 1987).
Burning and Snyder (1983) investigated respondents sex and their employment
position as predictors of Organizational Commitment. Findings of the study failed to
predict Organizational Commitment as a function of employees hierarchical position
and sex difference. In the same vein Gradelick and Farr (1983) made an effort to
examine sex difference in Organizational Commitment and job involvement along
with issues pertaining to role conflict, treatment on the job and involvement in
professional activities. Significant differences were found between men and women
on the level of Organizational Commitment, their perception on the job-treatment and
the extent of their role conflicts. However, no significant differences were found
between men and women on job involvement and professional activity.
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Williams and Hazer (1986) reviewed the model of commitment to identify the
casual relationship between job satisfaction and Organizational Commitment and to
identify the antecedents of these variables. Results support the relationship between
personal/ organizational characteristics and job satisfaction, and between satisfaction
and commitment. Moreover, commitment was also found an important aspect of
turnover.
Bhattacharya and Verma (1986) studied 160 executives of Bharat Cooking Coal
LTD, Dhanbad. Obtained findings revealed that Organizational Commitment, need
satisfaction and managerial respect were significantly and positively related with job
satisfaction both either independently or in conjunction thereof.
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In one of the significant study Allen and Meyer (1990) tested the aspect of three
component (affective, continuance and normative) model of Organizational
Commitment that integrates various conceptualizations (affective attachment, perceived
cost and obligation). The results revealed that the affective and continuance components
of Organizational Commitment are empirically distinguishable constructs with different
correlates. The affective and normative components, although distinguishable, appear to
be somewhat related. Thus the quality of the workplace is a vital factor in promoting
Organizational Commitment. In contrast, good leadership and management may not
guarantee committed employees.
In a study Meyer & Allen (1991) have used affective, continuance and
Normative Commitment to capture the multidimensional nature of Organizational
Commitment, and among them comparatively Affective Commitment was considered
to be a more effective measurement of Organizational Commitment. Meyer & Allen
(1997) buttressed their support for the importance of Affective Commitment by
explaining that employees with strong Affective Commitment would be motivated to
higher levels of performance and make more meaningful contributions than employees
who expressed continuance or Normative Commitment.
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Findings reveal that supportive climate has a clear and positive relationship with
Organizational Commitment. This finding is quite relevant in the present scenario
where organizational goals can not be attained without affective coordinative activities,
hence supportive climate certainly seems to be an important aspect that significantly
influence work related behaviour especially employees commitment towards their job.
Wallace, (1993) study on teachers found that teachers who are more committed
to the profession and its goals are less likely to be highly committed to the organization.
Zeffana (1994) surveyed 474 public and 944 private sector employees in Australia to
examine the Organizational Commitment and perceived management style. Finding
reveals that private sector employees had higher Organizational Commitment and
scored high on flexibility, adaptation and on work group discontinuity than public
sector employees.
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perceived trust in the supervisor, an ability to be involved with the job, and feelings of
job satisfaction were found to be major determinants of Organizational Commitment.
Martin and Hafer (1995) reported that Organizational Commitment and job
involvement jointly interact to affect turnover. The effect of Continuance Commitment
on turnover could be expected to have a positive and significant affect. However, Jaros
(1995) showed that Affective Commitment had the greatest affect on turnover
intentions. Financial pressure would probably have a major affect on Continuance
Commitment (Brett, Cron & Slocum, 1995). The relationship between commitment and
job performance is still intangible, though; some researchers indicate that commitment
to supervisors is positively related to performance more as compared to commitment to
organization itself (Becker, Billings, Eveleth & Gilbert, 1996).
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satisfaction and turnover intentions. Results revealed that job satisfaction was positively
related to both affective and Normative Commitment. However, job satisfaction was
negatively related to Continuance Commitment. All three types of commitment were
negatively related to turnover intentions, with Continuance Commitment having the
strongest negative relationship.
Wahn (1998) observed that women professionals are getting higher levels of
Continuance Commitment as compared to male professionals in the area of human
resource management. The study also revealed positive relationship between tenure and
Continuance Commitment and negative relationship between educational level, level in
hierarchy and Continuance Commitment. In conclusion, women workers appear to have
the same or greater level of Organizational Commitment to their workplace as
compared to their counterparts.
Singh and Vinnicombe (2000) found that female managers linked commitment to
concern for people and availability to interact with employees, whereas male managers
linked commitment to innovation, task orientation and challenge for work. These
findings suggest that Organizational Commitment among male and female mangers
may be predicted by unique sets of issues.
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George A. Boyane (2002) has reviewed private firms and public agencies on various
dimensions of Organizational Commitment such as organizational environments, goals,
structure and managerial values. Evidence from 34 empirical studies of differences
between public agencies and private firms was critically examined. Findings revealed
that public organizations are more bureaucratic, materialistic and have weaker
Organizational Commitment as compared to private organizations.
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Samad (2007) found that Committed and satisfied employees are normally high
performers and contribute towards organizational productivity.
mediating
effect
between
benevolent
paternalistic
leadership
and Affective
Commitment.
Warsi, Fatima and Sahibzada (2009) analyzed the relationship between work
motivation, overall job satisfaction and Organizational Commitment among Pakistani
workforce. Results showed that positive and significant relationship exists between
work motivation, overall job satisfaction and Organizational Commitment. Although
both independent variables are strongly associated with Organizational Commitment
and the impact of job satisfaction on Organizational Commitment is relatively stronger
than that of the work motivation on Organizational Commitment. Managerial
implication of the study is to focus more on motivating employees for promoting
Organizational Commitment on their part.
Mamta and Baldev (2010) assessed the level of employee engagement among
managers of a public sector undertaking in India. Besides highlighting the level of
engagement, the study has identified the predictors of Organizational Commitment,
which was used as an important manifestation of employee engagement. The study has
revealed that the level of employee engagement is quite modest. Three factors, namely,
pay; job content and objectivity are found to be the predictors of employee engagement
in this regard.
Since private and public sectors contribute a lot to the economic growth of the
country, which are finely influenced through application of HRD intervention
strategies. Therefore, keeping in view the present research was framed as "Influence of
Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude on Organizational Commitment of
Managerial Personnel".
In the present investigation Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude
have been used as independent variables and Organizational Commitment as Dependent
variable.
The term Quality of Work Life has different meanings to different people. Some
label it as a happiness programme, others especially trade unions name it as a subtle
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employee incentive or just another productivity device. Quality of working life has
assumed increasing interest and importance in both industrialized as well as developing
countries of the world. In India, its scope seems broader than much labour legislation
enacted to protect the workers. It is more than a sheer work organization movement
which focuses on job security and economic growth to the employees. Thus, quality of
work life refers to the level of happiness or dissatisfaction with one's career. Those who
enjoy their careers are said to have a high Quality of Work Life, while those who are
unhappy or whose needs are otherwise unfilled are said to have a low Quality of Work
Life.
Quality of Work Life has emerged as a potent factor in the recent past
throughout developing countries including India. Its scope seems to be brighter than
much labour legislation enacted to protect the cause of personnel. Quality of Work Life
is highly complex and multifaceted concept employing a deeper concern for the
members of an organization irrespective of the level they belong. It includes job factors
like wages, hour of work and the nature of job itself. Spink (1975) viewed Quality of
Work Life as "a degree of excellence in work and working conditions which
contributes to the overall satisfaction of the individual and enhance both individual and
organizational effectiveness".
Since Quality of Work Life plays crucial roles in life of individuals and
sustainable development of organizations. Hence, keeping in view its paramount
importance this dimension has been exclusively used as an independent variable in the
present research.
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Those with little Ego-Strength may feel torn between these competing demands,
while those with too much Ego-Strength can become too yielding and rigid.
EgoStrength helps us to maintain emotional stability and cope with internal and
external stress. Ego-Strength can be defined as an important factor determining the
capacity of an individual to perceive challenging situation realistically, decide the
course of action rationally and to execute the response effectively.
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ideas and peoples. However, Job Attitudes refer to employee's feelings, beliefs and
actions towards their respective jobs favourable or unfavourable. Each attitude has
cognitive, behavioural, and emotional components. The cognitive component shows the
knowledge the individual has about a particular attitude, the emotional component
shows the like-dislike degree of the individual towards the attitude, and the behavioural
component indicates the tendency of the individual to act in a direction which has
evolved under the influence of the former two components (Baysal & Tekarslan, 2004).
Job Attitudes with its affective, cognitive and conative aspects plays crucial
roles in the stay of employees with organizations. In the present competitive time only
those organizations sustain which have workforce of strong feelings and actions to
support and stay with the organizations as those are the persons who provide identity to
the organizations and growth oriented economic base. Therefore, Job Attitudes of
employees was included in the present study as an independent variable so as to
investigate its relationship with Organizational Commitment.
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127
The main aims and objectives of the present investigation are as follows :
1.
2.
of
Undertakings.
3.
4.
To determine the influence of Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude on
Overall Organizational Commitment among Managers of Private and Undertakings.
5.
6.
of
Undertakings.
7.
8.
To determine the influence of Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude on
Overall Organizational Commitment among Managers of Public and Undertakings.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
H-1 : Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude will have positive influence
on Affective Commitment among Managers of Private Undertakings.
H-2 : Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude will have positive influence
on Continuance Commitment among Managers of Private Undertakings.
H-3 : Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude will have positive influence
on Normative Commitment among Managers of Private Undertakings.
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H-4 : Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude will have positive influence
on Overall Organizational Commitment among Managers of Private Undertakings.
H-5 : Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude will have positive influence
on Affective Commitment among Managers of Public Undertakings.
H-6 : Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude will have positive influence
on Continuance Commitment among Managers of Public Undertakings.
H-7 : Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude will have positive influence
on Normative Commitment among Managers of Public Undertakings.
H-8 : Quality of Work Life, Ego-Strength and Job Attitude will have positive influence
on Overall Organizational Commitment among Managers of Public Undertakings.
H-9 : Managerial personnel of private and public undertakings will differ with each
other on Quality of Work Life dimensions.
H-10 : Managerial personnel of private and public undertakings will differ with each
other on Ego-Strength dimensions.
H-11 : Managerial personnel of private and public undertakings will differ with each
other on Job-Attitude dimensions.
H-12 : Managerial personnel of private and public undertakings will differ with each
other on Affective Commitment dimension.
H-13 : Managerial personnel of private and public undertakings will differ with each
other on Continuance Commitment dimension.
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H-14 : Managerial personnel of private and public undertakings will differ with each
other on Normative Commitment dimension.
H-15 : Managerial personnel of private and public undertakings will differ with each
other on Overall Organizational Commitment dimensions.
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