Gail W. McGee

Situational Leadership Theory A Test of Leadership Prescriptions

The purpose of this study was to test the prescriptions for effective leadership as specified in Hersey and Blanchards (1969, 1982, 1988) Situational Leadership Theory (SLT). The interac tion between leader behavior (initiating structure and consideration) and follower readiness hypothesized by the SLT was not supported. In addition, no support was found for Hersey and Blanchards (1988) most recent predictions regarding the Best, Second Best, Third Best, and Worst leadership styles for given readiness levels. In fact, the findings were more consistent with results obtained in traditional leadership research. Implications for use in management training are discussed.

Influence of Buyer Ethics and Salesperson Behavior on Intention to Choose a Supplier

A survey of purchasing professionals was conducted to investigate the effect of perceived unethical salesperson behavior on intentions to choose a supplier. Results suggest that as salesperson behavior is perceived as more unethical, the purchaser is less likely to choose the firm that the salesperson represents. This result is due to norm violations influencing intentions in two ways: (1) through externally controlled rewards or punishments (e.g., harming the purchaser’s career), and (2) through internally self-bestowed rewards or punishments (e.g., feeling bad for not doing the “right” thing).

Occupational Commitment, a Supportive Family Environment, and Marital Adjustment: Development and Estimation of a Model.

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a multivariate model of marital adjustment among men and women in dual-earner marriages. Through the use of structural equation analysis (LISREL VI), the same theoretical model was estimated separately for men and women. For both genders, higher levels of occupational commitment by wives adversely affected marital adjustment, whereas both men and women perceived that marital adjustment was unaffected by the occupational commitment of husbands. For women, higher levels of occupational commitment had a significant influence on perceptions of a supportive family environment, which in turn positively influenced marital adjustment. Although the path from occupational commitment to suportive family environment was not significant in the mens model, greater perceived emphasis on a supportive family environment positively influenced the marital adjustment of men. The results of this study emphasize the importance of family system characteristics for understanding the impact of high work commitment on the marital relationship.

Faculty Research Productivity and Intention to Change Positions

Faculty research productivity and faculty turnover are important issues to researchers in higher education, as well as to academic administrators. This study examined the effects of several contextual or work environment factors on faculty research productivity and turnover intentions, while controlling for prestige of the employing institution, disciplinary area, and academic rank. Turnover intentions of faculty were significantly and negatively related to extrinsic rewards, relations with coworkers and supervisors, and faculty influence over institutional decisions. Available resources had a significant positive effect on research productivity, while faculty influence over institutional decisions had a significant negative effect. Practical implications of these findings.

Enhancing individual perceptions of objectivity in performance appraisal

Abstract This study identified 4 goal development and performance evaluation activities— participation in goal development, goal quantification, goal flexibility, and performance improvement discussions—that may enhance individual perceptions of appraisal objectivity. Participation, flexibility, and improvement discussions related positively and significantly to perceived objectivity, whereas goal quantification related negatively. The 4 variables collectively accounted for 28% of the variance in perceived objectivity; participation and goal flexibility contributed uniquely. Results were discussed and suggestions were made for future research in this area.

Life Strains and Depressive Affect Among Women Moderating Effects of Social Support

This study examined the role of social support provided by spouse, friends, and relatives on relationships between strains and depressive affect among women. Strains from three life domains - financial, marital, and parental - were included. Moderated multiple regression analyses addressed main effect, buffering, and coping hypotheses regarding the role of social support. Results indicated that social support operated differently depending on the source of support and type of strain experienced. Generally, results were consistent with main effect and coping hypotheses. Only support provided by relatives played a significant moderating role in the strain - outcome relationship.

Job Stress and Job Dissatisfaction: Influence of Contextual Factors

To examine contextual factors which play a role in responses to job stress, 135 employees high in stress and high in job satisfaction and 97 employees high in stress and low in job satisfaction were identified. Comparisons of the two groups indicated that highly stressed individuals who remained satisfied perceived their jobs as more challenging and interesting, perceived organizational communication as more timely and useful, perceived fewer supervisory problems, and worked with managers whom they perceived to be high in referent power.