There has been extensive research conducted on the constructs of role ambiguity and strain at the individual level of analysis (cf. Jackson & Schuler, 1985). Although theoretical justification exists for considering these constructs at the group level of analysis, the literature has not adequately addressed role ambiguity and strain as group level phenomena. This study attempted to increase the understanding of strain and role ambiguity as group level phenomena. A model was posited which suggested that group role ambiguity would lead to both group strain and lower group effectiveness, and that these relationships would be mediated by interpersonal cohesion and task cohesion, respectively. Another purpose of the present study was to investigate the moderating influence of task interdependence on the posited model. The model was expected to be more strongly supported in work groups that are high in task interdependence than in groups that are low in task interdependence. Results reveal partial support for the hypothesis that the model of consequences of group role ambiguity would be moderated by task interdependence. Although the model did not fit the data well in either the high or low task interdependence conditions, it did fit the data better in the high task interdependence condition than in the low task interdependence condition. Because of the failure of the model to adequately fit the data in both low and high task interdependence groups, a post-hoc exploratory analysis was conducted. Specifically, the model of the consequences of group role ambiguity was modified by adding a direct path between group role ambiguity and group performance. Analyses revealed that the overall fit of the model in both task interdependent groups could be improved by adding a direct path between group role ambiguity and group performance. Additionally, results revealed that the model fit the data well in the high task interdependent condition but not in the low task interdependent condition. These results provide a support for the notion that the revised model of the consequences of group role ambiguity may be moderated by task interdependence. Implications of these findings for theory and practice are discussed / acase@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_23855 |
| Date | January 1996 |
| Contributors | Goldstein, Nancy Barbara (Author), Burke, Michael J (Thesis advisor) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Access requires a license to the Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) database., Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law |
Page generated in 0.1503 seconds