Steven Mellor

The relationship between membership decline and union commitment: A field study of local unions in crisis.

In this field study, I examined relationships between membership decline in 20 locals affiliated with a large industrial union and commitment as measured by a short-form version of the Union Commitment Scale. Also examined was the influence of decline on satisfaction with company and with union, as well as attitudes toward past and future strike activity. Findings are interpreted as illustrating predictable adjustments made by union members in support of local activity under crisis conditions

Self-efficacy as a mediator of the relationship between perceived union barriers and women's participation in union activities

This study investigated the influence of union self-efficacy (expectations of success in pursuit of union activities) as a mediator of the relationship between perceptions of barriers to union participation and womens participation in union activities (N = 89). Perceived barriers were defined in 4 domains (community, family, union, work), and self-efficacy was operationalized based on C. Lee and P. Bobkos (1994) analysis of self-efficacy measures (self-efficacy magnitude, self-efficacy strength). Union self-efficacy was found to mediate the relationship between the magnitude of perceived union barriers and the magnitude of union participation, although mediation was limited to women with weak union self-efficacy. Implications for designing training and intervention programs to enhance womens participation in the face of perceived barriers are discussed.

Gender composition and gender representation in local unions: Relationships between women's participation in local office and women's participation in local activities.

This study examined the influence of gender features of local union office (N = 37 ) on womens and mens ratings to participate in local activities (N = 414). Gender proportion in local office was indexed by gender composition (the relative proportion of women and men in local office) and by gender representation (the ratio of the proportion of women in local office to the proportion of local women). Womens ratings of their competence and opportunity to participate in local activities were higher in locals with a higher composition of women in office. Similarly, womens ratings of their opportunity and desire to participate were positively related to greater representation of women in office. In contrast, mens ratings were only slightly influenced by these local features but in some cases were negatively affected. The findings are discussed in terms of improving the proportion of women and men in office to enhance womens participation in local activities.

Augmenting the effect of verbal persuasion on self-efficacy to serve as a steward: Gender similarity in a union environment

We examined gender disparity in union leadership by studying the effects of gender similarity between union members and their stewards. We theorized and found that gender similarity augmented the effect of verbal persuasion on self-efficacy to serve as a steward.

The Conditional Indirect Effect Model of Women's Union Participation: The Moderating Effect of Perceived Union Tolerance for Sexual Harassment

ABSTRACT We tested a theoretically trimmed model of union participation presented by Tetrick, Shore, McClurg, and Vandenberg (2007), in which perceived union instrumentality is expected to influence participation through perceived union support. This testing was accomplished as a precursor to testing a conditional indirect effect model of womens participation—in which perceived union tolerance for sexual harassment was expected to moderate the influence of perceived support on willingness to participate in union activities. In a sample of 326 women from multiple unions, we found support for the conditional model; the influence of perceived instrumentality on willingness to participate through perceived support was moderated by perceived tolerance for harassment; specifically, the influence through perceived support was weak when perceived tolerance was high. The implications of our results are discussed in reference to need support and womens participation.

Self‐evaluation and union interest: The empirical relevance of a mediated model

A model of union interest was advanced with self-evaluation as linking economic and socio-economic realities to willingness to join a union in the context of a new psychological framework. Using a representative survey sample of non-union US employees (N = 1,010), the model was tested with structural equation modelling techniques. Support was generally found for the hypothesized model, although a revised model was considered. In particular, psychological self-sufficiency fully mediated the influence of financial dependency on self-enhancement (overconfidence in ones abilities and efficacy), and, in turn, self-enhancement fully mediated the influence of psychological self-sufficiency on union interest. Suggestions stemming from the model for future theory, research, and application are provided.

A Discriminant Validity Study of Aggregate-Level Constructs and Measures of Local Union Formalization, Centralization, and Innovation

Abstract Aggregate-level constructs and measures of local union structure pertaining to centralization, formalization, and innovation were developed and evaluated with ratings by local officers (N = 153) representing 56 locals. Officers exhibited high agreement with respect to the structure of their local. Confirmatory factor analyses performed with LISREL (K. G. Joreskog & D. Sorbom, 1991) on the aggregate covariance matrix (N = 56) provided support for a 3-factor model and discriminant validity. Correlational analyses indicated that local formalization was negatively related to local centralization and that local centralization was negatively related to local innovation. An important finding was that local formalization was positively related to local innovation, suggesting that union and nonunion organizations may differ in terms of this structural relationship.

A Quasi-Experimental Design for Studies on the Impact of Administrative Decisions: Applications and Extensions of the Regression-Discontinuity Design

In the regression-discontinuity (RD) design, scores on a pretreatment measure (assignment variable) determine assignment to groups such that respondents above a certain score are assigned to one group, whereas respondents below the score are assigned to another group (e.g., candidates for promotion above a cutoff point on a criterion dimension are promoted, whereas candidates below the cutoff are not). Despite the potential for causal inference about treatment effects, few settings have produced conditions appropriate for applications of the design. These conditions, however, can be found in personnel settings when decisions are based on cutoff procedures. The design is therefore suggested for research on the impact of administrative decisions involving cutoff scores.

Adulthood Social Class and Union Interest: A First Test of a Theoretical Model.

ABSTRACT A serial mediation model of union interest was tested. Based on theoretical notes provided by Mellor and Golay (in press), adulthood social class was positioned as a predictor of willingness to join a labor union, with success/failure attributions at work and willingness to share work goals positioned as intervening variables. Data from U.S. nonunion employees (N = 560) suggested full mediation after effects were adjusted for childhood social class. In sequence, adulthood social class predicted success/failure attributions at work, success/failure attributions at work predicted willingness to share work goals, and willingness to share work goals predicted willingness to join. Implications for socioeconomic status (SES) research and union expansion are discussed.

Bilingualism: Relationships With Willingness to Participate in Union Activities

This study examined the effects of bilingualism on willingness to participate in union activities. Surveys were completed by bilingual Hispanic members (n = 48), monolingual (Spanish-only) Hispanic members (n = 25), and monolingual (English-only) White and Black members (n = 215, n = 61, respectively) from a local union representing semiskilled workers. The concept of second-culture competence from biculturalism theory was used to explain the influence of bilingualism on willingness to participate. In contrast with White and Black members, bilingual Hispanic members were more willing to participate, whereas monolingual Hispanic members were less willing to participate. Implications for union policy on enhancing participation among Hispanic members are discussed.