Relationships between felt accountability as a stressor and strain reactions: the neutralizing role of autonomy across two studies.
Felt accountability, conceptualized as a workplace stressor, has been gaining increased attention in terms of its importance for explaining variance in work attitudes and behaviors. Building on these investigations, the present research tests in 2 studies a conceptualization that positions job autonomy as a moderator of the relationships between felt accountability and strain reactions. In Study 1, the interactions of Felt Accountability x Job Autonomy on job tension and job satisfaction were investigated. As hypothesized, the results demonstrated that autonomy neutralized the dysfunctional effects of accountability for each outcome. Study 2 extended the findings from Study 1 by replicating the form of the interactive effects, with job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion serving as strain reactions. Implications, strengths and limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Hall
Angela T
AT
Department of Management, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1110, USA. ath6462@cob.fsu.edu.
Royle
M Todd
MT
Brymer
Robert A
RA
Perrewé
Pamela L
PL
Ferris
Gerald R
GR
Hochwarter
Wayne A
WA
D000288:Administrative Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011590:Psychology, Industrial; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012941:Social Responsibility; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*