A Role and Expectancy Model of Participative Decision Making: A Replication and Theoretical Extension

Schuler\u27s process model of employee participation in decision‐making and job satisfaction (Schuler, 1980; Lee and Schuler, 1982) was tested using a path analytic approach. Reanalysis of Schuler\u27s data and replication on a new sample indicated that (a) participation in decision‐making has both direct and indirect effects on job satisfaction; and (b) performance–outcome expectancy, role conflict, and role ambiguity all appear to mediate the relationship between participation and satisfaction. In an extension of the model, organizational level and job involvement were hypothesized to moderate the participation–satisfaction relationship (i.e. function interactively). Although neither variable functions as a moderator, job involvement operates in a fashion similar to participation in the model. In general, consistent results across four independent samples strongly support Schuler\u27s basic process model