Dennis Doverspike

The use of person-organization fit in employment decision making: an assessment of its criterion-related validity.

Because measures of person-organization (P-O) fit are accountable to the same psychometric and legal standards used for other employment tests when they are used for personnel decision making, the authors assessed the criterion-related validity of P-O fit as a predictor of job performance and turnover. Meta-analyses resulted in estimated true criterion-related validities of .15 (k = 36, N = 5,377) for P-O fit as a predictor of job performance and .24 (k = 8, N = 2,476) as a predictor of turnover, compared with a stronger effect of .31 (k = 109, N = 108,328) for the more commonly studied relation between P-O fit and work attitudes. In contrast to the relations between P-O fit and work attitudes, the lower 95% credibility values for the job performance and turnover relations included zero. In addition, P-O fits relations with job performance and turnover were partially mediated by work attitudes. Potential concerns pertaining to the use of P-O fit in employment decision making are discussed in light of these results.

The Quest for the Qualified Job Surfer: It's Time the Public Sector Catches the Wave

Organizational use of Internet recruiting has dramatically increased in the last five years. However, there has been little research to guide the development of organizational employment Web pages. This paper first outlines the reasons why public sector organizations should consider focusing more energy on developing their own employment Web sites to supplement other recruiting activities. We then present a model of job surfer behavior that organizations should consider when designing their Web site and making decisions about how to promote it. Based on this model, we make several suggestions for practice.

Differences in self-reported work ethic across three career stages

Abstract Miller and Woehr’s Multidimensional Work Ethic Profile (as described in Miller, Woehr, & Hudspeth, 2002) was used to examine differences in work ethic across career stages. Participants in the trial stage scored significantly higher on the hard work and delay of gratification dimensions, but participants in the stabilization and maintenance stages scored higher on the morality, wasted time, and leisure dimensions. No significant differences were found for centrality or self-reliance. The results provide evidence of the importance of studying work ethic across the lifespan and of the multidimensional nature of the work ethic construct.

Locus of control and auditory selective attention as predictors of driving accident involvement: A comparative longitudinal investigation☆

Abstract Locus of control, as measured by the Montag Driving Internality and Driving Externality scales (Montag & Comrey, 1987) and auditory selective attention, as measured by the Auditory Selective Attention Test, were used in an attempt to predict driving accidents in a study that used both a predictive (longitudinal) and postdictive design. In 1988, 214 subjects were administered the tests and completed a self report driving record. In 1990, 142 of the subjects responded to a follow-up of the self report driving record. The only significant correlation for the Montag Driving Internality and Driving Externality scales was for 1990 not-at-fault accidents. For the Auditory Selective Attention Test, there were a number of significant relationships with accidents, the highest being .24 for the criterion of combined total accidents. The results concerning selective attention supported the findings of a meta-analysis by Arthur, Barrett, and Alexander (1991a).

Responding to the Challenge of a Changing Workforce: Recruiting Nontraditional Demographic Groups

As a result of a shortage of qualified applicants and the changing nature of the demographic composition of the workforce, there has been a recent increase in interest among human resource professionals in the targeting of recruitment efforts toward specific subgroups of the population. Based on the professional literature, this article discusses principles for the recruitment of Older Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and members of racial and ethnic minority groups.

Leadership and Semiautonomous Work Team Performance: A Field Study

The impact of leadership on group performance was investigated in the context of a semiautonomous work team environment. The relationship between group performance and team leadership, as exhibited by the designated, internal leader, was moderated by team size. Team leadership, as rated by team members, was related to the managers’ ratings of quality and overall performance for smaller teams, but not for larger teams. In addition, the managers’ ratings of team performance were not significantly correlated with ratings of team performance obtained from the team members.

Sexual Harassment in Online Communications: Effects of Gender and Discourse Medium

Differences in the perception of sexual harassment depending on discourse medium (traditional classroom setting versus online) and gender were examined via survey with 270 undergraduate participants. It was hypothesized that (1) participants would differ in their evaluations of similar behaviors when they were described as occurring in a traditional classroom setting as opposed to an online environment, and (2) males and females would differ in their evaluations of online behaviors. Eight potentially harassing acts were examined--including sexually explicit pictures, content, jokes, misogyny, the use of nicknames, requests for company, sexual favors, and comments about dress. Misogynist comments were seen as more harassing online than in traditional settings, as well as using nicknames and comments about dress. In a traditional setting, only requests for company were seen as more harassing. In terms of gender differences, women rated online pictures and jokes as significantly more harassing than men.

Validation of an information-processing-based test battery for the prediction of handling accidents among petroleum-product transport drivers

A validation study was conducted to determine if the selection of petroleum-product transport drivers could be improved. Based on anticipated problems with a postdictive field study, a laboratory simulation was conducted as a supplemental validation approach. For the laboratory study, an intensive job analysis was used to devise a computer-based simulation of the task. 60 Ss completed the simulation and a test battery that included measures of selective attention, field independence, and general cognitive ability. In the postdictive field study, 71 transport drivers completed measures of selective attention and field independence. Accident data was collected from company records. The only significant relationship was between driving accidents and selective attention. The results support the use of well-constructed simulations as an alternative validation strategy.

Performance Appraisal in the Training Needs Analysis Process: A Review and Critique:

Literature from the performance appraisal and needs analysis areas is reviewed to ascertain whether a technology for utilizing performance appraisal as a needs analysis technique has been sufficiently developed. A review of that literature is presented, a model of the process by which performance appraisal information may be incorporated into needs analysis is outlined, and suggestions and cautions concerning the use of performance appraisal in that process are offered.

The Validity of the Learning Style Inventory 1985 as a Predictor of Cognitive Style and Occupational Preference

This study investigated the relationship between measures of cognitive style and occupational preference and learning modes as measured by Kolbs revised Learning Style Inventory 1985. The Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT), the Learning Style Inventory 1985 (LSI), and the Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) were administered to 111 introductory psychology students. There were no significant correlations between the LSI and the GEFT. Correlations between the LSI and the VPI revealed a relationship between Artistic interests and the Concrete Experience mode.