EDUCATION 1:10Stii0e4 OR ROL ICY FACTORS CCNPLICAT1NG EXPECTANCY THEORY PREDICTIONS OF WORK MOTIVATION AND JOB PERFORMANCE

The conventional paradigm for testing expectancy theory predictions of work behavior has been to correlate expectancy-value reports with concurrent measures of motivation and performance. Although this static, two-variable approach has typically yielded statistically significant results, correlations have not been sizable. This study, using a sample of design and development engineers over a four-year period, posited and found that expectancy theory predictions were materially strengthened by taking into account the effects of five complicating factors. Specifically, these factors were: (1) time, (2) the initial level of the criterion, (3) the level of rewards, (4) task-specific ability, and (5) control system responsiveness. (Author)