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  • 1.  Congruence theories expressed as an absolute difference

    Posted 10-28-2015 20:47

    Hello all,

     

    I'm looking for theories in which the effects of congruence are specified as the absolute difference between two constructs.  I am looking for theoretical statements, as opposed to empirical operationalizations (I have located plenty of those over the years).  An example of what I am trying to locate is the theory of stress and task performance set forth by McGrath (1976, p. 1353), which includes the following equation:

     

    ES = C(|D – A|)

     

    where ES is experienced stress, D is demands, A is abilities, and C is the differential consequence of meetings vs. not meeting demands.  Another example is Locke (1969, pp. 317-318), who referred to a graph showing that the discrepancy between perceptions and values has an inverted-V relationship with satisfaction and stated that "This type of function . . . should hold for the great majority of job aspects."  He did not present an equation, but the implication of the inverted-V function was clear.

     

    Can you provide me with any other examples like these?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Jeff Edwards

     

    Locke, E. A.  (1969).  What is job satisfaction?  Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 4, 309-336.

     

    McGrath, J. E.  (1976).  Stress and behavior in organizations.  In M. Dunnette (Ed.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (pp. 1351-1395).  Chicago: Rand McNally.

     

    Jeffrey R. Edwards, Ph.D.

    Belk Distinguished Professor of Organizational Behavior

    Kenan-Flagler Business School

    University of North Carolina

    Chapel Hill, NC  27599-3490

    Voice: 919-962-3144

    Fax: 919-962-4425

    Email: jredwards@unc.edu

    Website: http://public.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/edwardsj/

     



  • 2.  Congruence theories expressed as an absolute difference

    Posted 10-29-2015 03:58
    Hi Jeff,
     
    Take a look at Porter's early work  on work needs. Need - experience = Satisfaction
     
    George
     
    In a message dated 10/28/2015 9:55:34 P.M. Central Daylight Time, Jeff_Edwards@KENAN-FLAGLER.UNC.EDU writes:

    Hello all,

     

    I'm looking for theories in which the effects of congruence are specified as the absolute difference between two constructs.  I am looking for theoretical statements, as opposed to empirical operationalizations (I have located plenty of those over the years).  An example of what I am trying to locate is the theory of stress and task performance set forth by McGrath (1976, p. 1353), which includes the following equation:

     

    ES = C(|D – A|)

     

    where ES is experienced stress, D is demands, A is abilities, and C is the differential consequence of meetings vs. not meeting demands.  Another example is Locke (1969, pp. 317-318), who referred to a graph showing that the discrepancy between perceptions and values has an inverted-V relationship with satisfaction and stated that "This type of function . . . should hold for the great majority of job aspects."  He did not present an equation, but the implication of the inverted-V function was clear.

     

    Can you provide me with any other examples like these?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Jeff Edwards

     

    Locke, E. A.  (1969).  What is job satisfaction?  Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 4, 309-336.

     

    McGrath, J. E.  (1976).  Stress and behavior in organizations.  In M. Dunnette (Ed.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (pp. 1351-1395).  Chicago: Rand McNally.

     

    Jeffrey R. Edwards, Ph.D.

    Belk Distinguished Professor of Organizational Behavior

    Kenan-Flagler Business School

    University of North Carolina

    Chapel Hill, NC  27599-3490

    Voice: 919-962-3144

    Fax: 919-962-4425

    Email: jredwards@unc.edu

    Website: http://public.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/edwardsj/

     



  • 3.  Congruence theories expressed as an absolute difference

    Posted 10-29-2015 09:43
    Hi Jeff,

    What about the data you already reanalyzed?  Supervisor's view of how his/her performance is rated by a constituent (boss, peer) minus that person's actual rating = accuracy.

    Sue

    Susan J. Ashford 

    Chair, Management and Organizations Department
    Michael and Susan Jandernoa Professor of Management and Organization

    Stephen M. Ross School of Business 
    University of Michigan 
    701 Tappan Street 
    Ann Arbor, Michigan 
    USA 48109-1234 
    Tel: 1.734.763.1091 
    Fax: 1.734.615.4323 

    Office: R4362

    Personal Website: https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/sashford/home

    Ross Directory:  http://michiganross.umich.edu/faculty-research/faculty/sue-ashford





    On Thu, Oct 29, 2015 at 3:57 AM, George Graen <000000063479facc-dmarc-request@aomlists.pace.edu> wrote:
    Hi Jeff,
     
    Take a look at Porter's early work  on work needs. Need - experience = Satisfaction
     
    George
     
    In a message dated 10/28/2015 9:55:34 P.M. Central Daylight Time, Jeff_Edwards@KENAN-FLAGLER.UNC.EDU writes:

    Hello all,

     

    I'm looking for theories in which the effects of congruence are specified as the absolute difference between two constructs.  I am looking for theoretical statements, as opposed to empirical operationalizations (I have located plenty of those over the years).  An example of what I am trying to locate is the theory of stress and task performance set forth by McGrath (1976, p. 1353), which includes the following equation:

     

    ES = C(|D – A|)

     

    where ES is experienced stress, D is demands, A is abilities, and C is the differential consequence of meetings vs. not meeting demands.  Another example is Locke (1969, pp. 317-318), who referred to a graph showing that the discrepancy between perceptions and values has an inverted-V relationship with satisfaction and stated that "This type of function . . . should hold for the great majority of job aspects."  He did not present an equation, but the implication of the inverted-V function was clear.

     

    Can you provide me with any other examples like these?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Jeff Edwards

     

    Locke, E. A.  (1969).  What is job satisfaction?  Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 4, 309-336.

     

    McGrath, J. E.  (1976).  Stress and behavior in organizations.  In M. Dunnette (Ed.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (pp. 1351-1395).  Chicago: Rand McNally.

     

    Jeffrey R. Edwards, Ph.D.

    Belk Distinguished Professor of Organizational Behavior

    Kenan-Flagler Business School

    University of North Carolina

    Chapel Hill, NC  27599-3490

    Voice: 919-962-3144

    Fax: 919-962-4425

    Email: jredwards@unc.edu

    Website: http://public.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/edwardsj/

     




  • 4.  Congruence theories expressed as an absolute difference

    Posted 10-29-2015 10:51
    Following up on George's comment.

    There is a whole family of job satisfaction models. Some fit your equation.
    I enumerate them here:

    Evans, M. G. (1969). Conceptual and operational problems in the measurement of various aspects of job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 53, 93-101.

    Best
    m

    Martin G. Evans
    Professor Emeritus, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.

    48 Griswold Street
    Cambridge
    MA 02138

    617-876-3980

    URL: www.rotman.utoronto.ca/~evans

    ,,, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American People upon which this nation relies. It is ... the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job.
    Barack H. Obama

    The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.
    Franklin D. Roosevelt

    ... had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.
    Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me - and I welcome their hatred.
    Franklin Roosevelt
    [When will Obama quote it?]







    On Thu, Oct 29, 2015 at 3:57 AM, George Graen <000000063479facc-dmarc-request@aomlists.pace.edu> wrote:
    Hi Jeff,
     
    Take a look at Porter's early work  on work needs. Need - experience = Satisfaction
     
    George
     
    In a message dated 10/28/2015 9:55:34 P.M. Central Daylight Time, Jeff_Edwards@KENAN-FLAGLER.UNC.EDU writes:

    Hello all,

     

    I'm looking for theories in which the effects of congruence are specified as the absolute difference between two constructs.  I am looking for theoretical statements, as opposed to empirical operationalizations (I have located plenty of those over the years).  An example of what I am trying to locate is the theory of stress and task performance set forth by McGrath (1976, p. 1353), which includes the following equation:

     

    ES = C(|D – A|)

     

    where ES is experienced stress, D is demands, A is abilities, and C is the differential consequence of meetings vs. not meeting demands.  Another example is Locke (1969, pp. 317-318), who referred to a graph showing that the discrepancy between perceptions and values has an inverted-V relationship with satisfaction and stated that "This type of function . . . should hold for the great majority of job aspects."  He did not present an equation, but the implication of the inverted-V function was clear.

     

    Can you provide me with any other examples like these?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Jeff Edwards

     

    Locke, E. A.  (1969).  What is job satisfaction?  Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 4, 309-336.

     

    McGrath, J. E.  (1976).  Stress and behavior in organizations.  In M. Dunnette (Ed.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (pp. 1351-1395).  Chicago: Rand McNally.

     

    Jeffrey R. Edwards, Ph.D.

    Belk Distinguished Professor of Organizational Behavior

    Kenan-Flagler Business School

    University of North Carolina

    Chapel Hill, NC  27599-3490

    Voice: 919-962-3144

    Fax: 919-962-4425

    Email: jredwards@unc.edu

    Website: http://public.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/edwardsj/

     




  • 5.  Congruence theories expressed as an absolute difference

    Posted 10-29-2015 04:41
    Hi Jeff,

    Great undertaking here. I have just a few reactionary-miscellany thoughts that I hope may be of some use to you.

    I think your two examples pinpoint a historical (paradigm) shift from functionalism to structuralism in psych and org science. 
    The theoretical use of absolute-differences was likely indicative (misspecification) of a structuralism solution to an ontological problem.

    A few reasonable proxies for 'congruence' effects for your search scope might be, 1) balance, 2) trade-off, and 3) matching. 

    For example, in March's (1991) elaboration of Explore-Exploit for org learning, he noted, "Positive local feedback produces strong path dependence
    (David 1990) and can lead to suboptimal equilibria." Unfortunately, March does not specify a standalone formula or equation, but conceptually, what often goes unoticed is that the 'trade-off' / 'balance' portrayal is, in fact, epiphenomenal to his focus within a fixed time-frame, that is, it is indicative of a time-invariant system (for demonstration purposes).

    This was picked up by Tushman & O'Reilly's (1996) exposé on Org Ambidex with 'Congruence as a Managerial Trap'.
    Another viable example might be Venkatraman's (1989) strategic fit: 1) "fit as moderating", and 2) "fit as matching"

    I realize these are not individual-level theories, but some have been adapted.
    He & Wong (2004) (many others) specify absolute difference hypotheses for explore - exploit under the purview of Org Ambidex theory, but I am unsure about specific theoretical statements.

    In essence, 'absolute-difference' operationalizations of 'congruence' are simply deviance indices of one-dimensional Euclidean distances.
    Due to interval-level measurement limitations, coupled with the shift from functionalism to structuralism, much of the reciprocally-causal (functionally interdependent) interest in modeling is reduced over time.

    Matt 




    On Thu, Oct 29, 2015 at 1:47 AM, Edwards, Jeff <Jeff_Edwards@kenan-flagler.unc.edu> wrote:

    Hello all,

     

    I'm looking for theories in which the effects of congruence are specified as the absolute difference between two constructs.  I am looking for theoretical statements, as opposed to empirical operationalizations (I have located plenty of those over the years).  An example of what I am trying to locate is the theory of stress and task performance set forth by McGrath (1976, p. 1353), which includes the following equation:

     

    ES = C(|D – A|)

     

    where ES is experienced stress, D is demands, A is abilities, and C is the differential consequence of meetings vs. not meeting demands.  Another example is Locke (1969, pp. 317-318), who referred to a graph showing that the discrepancy between perceptions and values has an inverted-V relationship with satisfaction and stated that "This type of function . . . should hold for the great majority of job aspects."  He did not present an equation, but the implication of the inverted-V function was clear.

     

    Can you provide me with any other examples like these?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Jeff Edwards

     

    Locke, E. A.  (1969).  What is job satisfaction?  Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 4, 309-336.

     

    McGrath, J. E.  (1976).  Stress and behavior in organizations.  In M. Dunnette (Ed.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (pp. 1351-1395).  Chicago: Rand McNally.

     

    Jeffrey R. Edwards, Ph.D.

    Belk Distinguished Professor of Organizational Behavior

    Kenan-Flagler Business School

    University of North Carolina

    Chapel Hill, NC  27599-3490

    Voice: 919-962-3144

    Fax: 919-962-4425

    Email: jredwards@unc.edu

    Website: http://public.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/edwardsj/

     




    --
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Matthew J. Kerry, Ph.D.
    Organizational & Work Psychology
    ETH Zurich - Management, Technology, and Economics
    WEV K509 | Weinbergstrasse 56/58 | 8092 Zürich Switzerland
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------


  • 6.  Congruence theories expressed as an absolute difference

    Posted 10-29-2015 10:11

    Hi Jeff,

     

    May be this is of interest to you:

    Reger, R. K., Gustafson, L. T., Demarie, S. M., & Mullane, J. V. (1994). Reframing the Organization: Why Implementing Total Quality is Easier Said Than Done. The Academy of Management Review, 19(3), 565–584. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/258939

     

    They argue the relationship between the width of the identity gap and the likelihood of acceptance of change follows an inverted-V function.

    Formally, they wrote "Proposition 3: The probability of organizational members accepting fundamental change will increase when the difference between current and ideal identity falls within the change acceptance zone." (p. 576)

     

    If I understand correctly your language, this would translate into: AC = C(|IOI – COI|)

    where AC is acceptance of change, IOI ideal organizational identity and COI is current organizational identity and C is the differential consequence of the size of the gap: low change acceptance when the gap is either small or large (i.e. incremental and radical change), and high change acceptance when the gap is average (they refer to this type of change as tectonic change, i.e. middle-range change).

     

    Best,

     

    Guillaume

     

    Dr. Guillaume B. Soenen

    Associate Professor of Management, EMLYON Business School

     

     

     

    De : Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] De la part de Edwards, Jeff
    Envoyé : jeudi 29 octobre 2015 01:47
    À : OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Objet : [OB-LIST] Congruence theories expressed as an absolute difference

     

    Hello all,

     

    I'm looking for theories in which the effects of congruence are specified as the absolute difference between two constructs.  I am looking for theoretical statements, as opposed to empirical operationalizations (I have located plenty of those over the years).  An example of what I am trying to locate is the theory of stress and task performance set forth by McGrath (1976, p. 1353), which includes the following equation:

     

    ES = C(|D – A|)

     

    where ES is experienced stress, D is demands, A is abilities, and C is the differential consequence of meetings vs. not meeting demands.  Another example is Locke (1969, pp. 317-318), who referred to a graph showing that the discrepancy between perceptions and values has an inverted-V relationship with satisfaction and stated that "This type of function . . . should hold for the great majority of job aspects."  He did not present an equation, but the implication of the inverted-V function was clear.

     

    Can you provide me with any other examples like these?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Jeff Edwards

     

    Locke, E. A.  (1969).  What is job satisfaction?  Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 4, 309-336.

     

    McGrath, J. E.  (1976).  Stress and behavior in organizations.  In M. Dunnette (Ed.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (pp. 1351-1395).  Chicago: Rand McNally.

     

    Jeffrey R. Edwards, Ph.D.

    Belk Distinguished Professor of Organizational Behavior

    Kenan-Flagler Business School

    University of North Carolina

    Chapel Hill, NC  27599-3490

    Voice: 919-962-3144

    Fax: 919-962-4425

    Email: jredwards@unc.edu

    Website: http://public.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/edwardsj/

     

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