Andrew J. DuBrin

COMPARISON OF THE JOB SATISFACTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF TELECOMMUTERS VERSUS IN-HOUSE EMPLOYEES: A RESEARCH NOTE ON WORK IN PROGRESS

Job satisfaction and productivity were compared for 34 in-house employees and 34 telecommuters performing data-entry and coding. Job satisfaction was measured on the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire and a five-item work arrangement subscale. Group productivity was measured by data-entry transactions per hour. No between-group differences were found on over-all job satisfaction and subscale scores; however, seven individual items relating to concerns about work-at-home differentiated the groups. Significantly different between-group ranks of importance on 12 of the 25 questionnaire items were found. Despite important limitations in our experimental design, the results suggest that telecommuting tends to increase satisfaction with specific work arrangements and that telecommuters are likely to be more productive than in-house workers on structured, repetitive tasks.

SEX AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN TACTICS OF INFLUENCE

Sex and gender differences for 16 tactics of influence were investigated among 292 men and 231 women in higher-level positions. Sex differences indicated that men are more likely to manipulate situations and people, joke or kid, promise rewards, threaten punishments, and use logic or reason. Gender differences indicated that men are perceived as more likely to manipulate situations, be assertive, joke or kid, and threaten punishments, while women are more likely to use charm, appearance, ingratiation, and compliments. The total sample perceived that one-half of the influence tactics were used with equal frequency by both sexes. The sex differences found were so small as not to be of practical significance, but the gender differences (perceptions) are more meaningful.

Sex differences in endorsement of influence tactics and political behavior tendencies

Sex differences in the endorsement of influence tactics and political behavior tendencies were surveyed among 337 employees (176 males and 161 females). The sample was composed of managers, business owners, and professional, technical, sales, and office support workers from a variety of organizations. No significant differences were found between males and females with respect to scores on the Political Orientation Questionnaire, preference for teamwork, exchange of favors, and upward appeal. However, women were significantly less likely than men to perceive themselves as relying on charm, manipulative tactics, and personal appearance to achieve results and gain advantage. None of the sex differences could be attributed to years of job experience.

Sex Differences in the Use and Effectiveness of Tactics of Impression Management

Sex differences and comparisons of use and effectiveness of 28 impression management tactics were examined for 178 men and 124 women in higher-level positions. Few differences were found despite several exceptions. Women used greeting cards more frequently than men and gave higher effectiveness ratings to warmth and support, making small talk, and avoiding a direct “no” in response to a request. Use and effectiveness ratings were positively related, yet men gave higher effectiveness than use ratings to sending greeting cards and remaining calm under pressure. Women gave higher effectiveness than use ratings to being knowledgeable about a work-related topic and calmness under pressure. Results reinforce the idea that women emphasize interpersonal relationships on the job and also suggest that remaining calm under pressure may represent a developmental need for men and women in higher-level jobs.

Career-related correlates of self-discipline.

An investigation was made of the relationship between scores on the Self-discipline Questionnaire and self-ratings on four career-related variables among a sample of 325 working adults. The Self-discipline Questionnaire was previously published in a trade book and is based on characteristics of self-disciplined people culled from the literature. Scores for self-discipline were significantly correlated with years of formal education, salary, and self-perceptions of career success and frequency of goal accomplishment.