Kenneth G. Wheeler

Cultural values in relation to equity sensitivity within and across cultures

Organizations are faced with the challenge of developing effective reward systems for a diverse workforce within a society, as well as across different cultures for global operations. Equity theory is a major process motivational model concerned with such reward systems, and equity sensitivity provides important modifications to this model. The present research examines the relation of equity sensitivity to culturally related values. Positive relationships with equity sensitivity are found for collectivism, femininity, power distance and uncertainty avoidance for a diverse sample within the USA and for collectivism and femininity for a sample from Taiwan.

The Expectancy Model in the Analysis of Occupational Preference and Occupational Choice.

Abstract The differences between the factors related to occupational preference and occupational choice were explored for upper-division college students from business and psychology classes. The results strongly supported a valance-instrumentality-expectancy model in the context of occupational choice. Occupational preference was primarily a function of occupational valence, the multiplicative relation between the outcome valences and the instrumentalities of the occupations for these outcomes. Occupational choice was primarily a function of the force to choose an occupation, the multiplicative relaitonship between occupational valence and the expectancy of attaining an occupation and the expected costs of attaining an occupation.

Perceptions of Labor Market Variables by College Students in Business, Education, and Psychology.

Abstract The perceptions of psychic and economic rewards available in different occupations, the perceptions of psychic and economic costs of preparing for these occupations, and the perceived availability of jobs for college majors in business, education, and psychology is examined. The findings indicate that these different majors have quite similar perceptions of these variables despite major differences in occupational choices. Further analysis examines the relationships of these variables to occupational choice for these three groups of college majors. Although the perceptions of rewards and costs have limited independent relations to measures of occupational choice, benefits-to-costs comparisons are highly related to occupational choice for all three groups of college majors.

Empirical Comparison of Equity Preference Questionnaire and Equity Sensitivity Instrument in Relation to Work Outcome Preferences

Until the development of the Equity Preference Questionnaire in 2000, the only measure of equity sensitivity available was the Equity Sensitivity Instrument. However, only one out of nine empirical studies conducted since 2000 has used this questionnaire, perhaps given the concerns about its applicability to earlier equity sensitivity research findings. This paper empirically examined both measures in relation to work outcome preferences based on the previous study by Miles, Hatfield, and Huseman in 1994 and finds that the two questionnaires produce comparable results.

The Relation of Career and Family Factors to the Expressed Minimum Percentage Pay Increase Required for Relocation

Employee willingness to relocate can have a major impact on individual career advancement as well as organizational human resource policies. The present study examines the relationship of career andfamily-relatedfactors to the lowest percentage pay increase required to relocate to another city or state for males andfemales. The results support previous studies concerning gender differences. However; gender does not remain as a significant predictor of willingness to relocate when controlling for other career andfamily-relatedfactors.

Valence and Instrumentality Contributions to Understanding Occupational Preference.

Abstract Studies on the expectancy model have presented conflicting results concerning the usefulness of valence ratings. There has been some support for valence as significantly adding to the predictability of occupational preference, while other studies have indicated that instrumentality ratings alone are sufficient.