Reyhan Bilgiç

The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Personal Characteristics of Turkish Workers

Abstract The relationship between job satisfaction and the personal characteristics of 249 Turkish workers in different occupations and job positions was investigated. The results indicated that monthly payment was the best predictor of overall satisfaction. Age, sex, education, number of children, and different measures of tenure were significant predictors of different aspects of job satisfaction as measured with 2 different scales. Marital status was not related to any of the measures of job satisfaction.

Accuracy of Population Validity and Cross-Validity Estimation: An Empirical Comparison of Formula-Based, Traditional Empirical, and Equal Weights Procedures.

An empirical monte carlo study was performed using predictor and criterion data from 84,808 U.S. Air Force enlistees. 501 samples were drawn for each of seven sample size conditions: 25, 40, 60, 80, 100, 150, and 200. Using an eight-predictor model, 500 estimates for each of 9 validity and 11 cross-validity estimation procedures were generated for each sample size condition. These estimates were then compared to the actual squared population validity and cross-validity in terms of mean bias and mean squared bias. For the regression models determined using ordinary least squares, the Ezekiel procedure produced the most accurate estimates of squared population validity (followed by the Smith and the Wherry procedures), and Burket’s formula resulted in the best estimates of squared population cross-validity. Other analyses compared the coefficients determined by traditional empirical cross-validation and equal weights; equal weights resulted in no loss of predictive accuracy and less shrinkage. Numerous issues for future basic research on validation and cross-validation are identified.

Personality attributes as predictors of psychological well-being for NCOs.

The authors examined the nature of the relationships between job-specific personality dimensions and psychological well-being for noncommissioned officers (NCOs) in the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). A job-specific personality inventory, comprising measures of 11 personality dimensions was developed for selection purposes. The inventory was administered to a representative sample of 1,428 NCOs along with a general mental health inventory developed by the authors, which consisted of 6 dimensions of psychological well-being. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggested existence of a single factor underlying the 6 psychological well-being dimensions, Mental Health, and 2 latent factors underlying the 11 personality dimensions, Military Demeanor and Military Efficacy. The 2 personality constructs explained 91% of the variance in the Mental Health construct. A stepwise regression indicated that beta weights of the personality measures were significant except for military bearing, orderliness, and dependability. Results suggest that job-specific personality attributes were predictive of mental health. Implications of the findings for the selection of NCOs are discussed.

Predicting Military Performance from Specific Personality Measures: A Validity Study

This study examined the criterion-related validity of the dimensions of a customized personality inventory in predicting different aspects of military performance. A cross-validity study was also carried out to establish the stability of the obtained regression weights. The sample consisted of 733 non-commissioned officers who filled out the personality inventory. Three different measures of performance (i.e., commendations, reprimands, and cumulative ranking) were used as the criteria in validating the inventory. Among the 11 dimensions of the inventory, emotional stability, directing and monitoring, self-discipline, and military bearing predicted commendations; determination was the only predictor for reprimands, and cumulative ranking was predicted by determination and adaptability. The cross-validity procedure showed that the obtained regression weights were stable, providing further support for the validity of the personality measures. Results yielded support for the argument that specific personality measures could be respectable predictors of different aspects of military performance.

Public and private schoolteachers' differences in terms of job attitudes in Albania.

In the present study, the attitudinal differences between public and private schoolteachers in Albania were investigated. Since the type of the organization varies, one would expect different climates for the emergence of job attitudes--mainly job satisfaction, job involvement, and organizational commitment, the most frequently studied job attitudes in the industrial and organizational psychology literature. It was hypothesized that the private schoolteachers would be more satisfied than public schoolteachers, especially due to high levels of payment and other desirable conditions. However, the public schoolteachers will be more involved than the private schoolteachers since they have to justify their continued work under the undesirable conditions. The commitment level of the private schoolteachers will be higher than the public schoolteachers since there is usually high correlation between job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Data were gathered from a total of 429 teachers working in public (n = 254) and private (n = 175) schools in Albania, in high and middle schools. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance with age as a covariate. The results indicated that the private schoolteachers were more satisfied, as expected, revealed a weaker job involvement and were more committed to their school than their colleagues in the public sector. The results were found to be in line with previous studies conducted in the west. However, this study is believed to have a potential contribution to the literature in general, and to the Albanian local literature in particular. To the knowledge of the authors, there has been no similar study in Albania. Discussion is provided along with the limitations of the study and suggestions for future research.

Investigating the Role of the Big Five on the Social Loafing of Information Technology Workers

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the role of Big Five personality dimensions (Extraversion, Conscientiousness, Openness to Experience, Neuroticism, and Agreeableness) on social loafing (SL) in a field setting. Data were gathered from both employees and their supervisors working in three leading software companies in Ankara, Turkey. The study was conducted in two phases. In the pilot study, SL and perceived coworker SL scales were developed. The task visibility scale was adapted to Turkish. The internal consistency reliabilities of the scales were tested using a pilot study with a sample of employees. In the main study, hypotheses were tested by gathering data from 156 participants and their 33 supervisors. Results supported only the two hypotheses proposing positive relations between extraversion and SL and between neuroticism and SL. The results are discussed along with practical implications, limitations of the study, and future directions.

Fairness Perceptions of Selection Instruments Used in Turkey

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the goal orientation of individuals and their reactions to three different selection instruments used in Turkey. A sample of 154 engineering students from a university rated the favorability and fairness perceptions of these instruments, namely, interview, personality and science achievement tests. The goal orientations of the participants were determined according to median values of the respected scales. A 23 mixed design ANOVA pointed out that among the rated selection techniques in the order of interview, science achievement tests, and personality tests were perceived to be favorable and fair. Although there was no main effect of goal orientation, the interaction between goal orientation and different selection instruments was significant regarding the question of invasion of privacy. Specifically, it was found that learning goal-oriented subjects value science tests more than the performance proof-oriented subjects in terms of the question of ‘this selection instrument invades privacy.’ Learning goal-oriented subjects think more than the performance proof-oriented subjects that the personality tests are an invasion of privacy. The results were discussed and the direction for future research specified.

The correlates of psychological health among the Turkish unemployed: Psychological burden of financial help during unemployment

The purpose of this study is to examine the major determinants of psychological health during unemployment. With this in mind, 438 (17% female and 83% male) unemployed individuals were contacted through Turkeys State Employment Office. It was expected that the relationship between duration of unemployment and psychological wellbeing would be nonlinear. Additionally it was hypothesized that perceived social support would moderate the relationship between length of unemployment and psychological health. Further, we suggested that self-esteem would be related to psychological health and moderate the relationship between length of unemployment and psychological health. The results supported the curvilinearity hypothesis of the relationship between unemployment duration and psychological health as measured by General Health Questionnaire. However, social support was not found to moderate the relationship between unemployment duration and psychological health. The hypothesis that self-esteem would moderate the relationship between length of unemployment and psychological distress was not supported, although self-esteem was a strong negative determinant of psychological distress during unemployment. Regression analysis showed that the best predictors of psychological health were self-esteem, perceived social support and perceived adequacy of financial aid received from relatives. Interestingly, perceived adequacy of the financial aid was negatively related to psychological health. This result was contradictory with the previous literature pointing out that financial aid reduces the effects of poverty due to unemployment. The findings of this study are important since the relationship between unemployment duration and psychological health was nonlinear, indicating that relevant services should be especially careful to intervene to increase social support and self-esteem during these critical times. The other results and limitations are discussed.

A Validation Study of Goal Orientations and Self-Efficacy Scales

The aim of the current study was to investigate the validity and reliability of goal orientation and self-efficacy scales. The scales were administered to 264 university students (154 from engineering departments, 110 from business administration). Two samples were used. In the first sample, the original factor model was tested with confirmatory factor analysis. In the second sample, the Turkish versions of the scales were factor analyzed. Principal components analysis resulted in three components for the Goal Orientation scale: Learning goal orientation, Performance-prove goal orientation, and Performance-avoid goal orientation. The Self-efficacy scale had one factor as expected. Cronbachs alpha coefficients were satisfactory. The results did not fully support the use of current Turkish versions of the scales. Results of the studies are discussed along with the strengths and limitations of the study and suggestions for further development of the scales.

The effect of proactive and preventive coping styles on personal and organizational outcomes: Be proactive if you want good outcomes

Abstract The purpose of the present study is to examine the relationship between proactive and preventive coping styles and some individual and organizational outcomes, namely, job satisfaction, task performance, and organizational citizenship behavior. Psychometric qualities of the scales were established through a pilot study by collecting data from 90 employees selected from different sectors. More data were collected from additional 125 employees. Altogether, 215 employees participated in the present study. Of the participants, 114 were women (53%) and 101 were men (47%). Results showed that proactive coping skills predicted organizational outcomes positively (i.e. job performance, job satisfaction, and organizational citizenship behavior). Preventive coping style did not predict any of the outcomes. Results were discussed and implications for the managers were mentioned. Some future research themes were suggested, and limitations of the study were listed.