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Article
Publication date: 12 August 2020

Robert Marley and Lee Kersting

In this empirical study, the primary aim is to examine whether the type of feedback provided, relative performance information (RPI) vs outcome, affects individual's task…

Abstract

Purpose

In this empirical study, the primary aim is to examine whether the type of feedback provided, relative performance information (RPI) vs outcome, affects individual's task satisfaction in a context without financial incentives. A secondary objective is to explore whether differences in individuals' task satisfaction were associated with their performance level.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants completed a mundane, effort-based task in a 1 × 2 between-subjects experimental design where the type of feedback was manipulated at two levels (RPI vs outcome).

Findings

The results revealed a positive link between providing RPI feedback to individuals and their self-reported task satisfaction compared to individuals provided with outcome feedback. We find that individuals' task satisfaction is not associated with their task performance, supporting our prediction that the level of knowledge of results affects individuals' task satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The experimental task used in this study was mundane and effort intensive. Consequently, future research may be needed to examine whether the results generalize to more creative, less effort-intensive tasks. This study also utilized student participants as a proxy for employees, which is appropriate for the task, but may not generalize to organizational settings requiring specialized knowledge or task experience.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that organizations may find providing employees with RPI to be a relatively low-cost, non-financial incentive for improving employee task satisfaction, a construct documented to reduce employee turnover and absenteeism.

Originality/value

While prior research focuses on the effects of providing RPI on individuals' performance and effort, this study extends prior research to individuals' task satisfaction, an affective construct, illustrating that RPI is multi-dimensional. Our results also have implications for theory. We extend the feedback proposition of the widely applied Job Characteristics Model (JCM) by illustrating the type of feedback provided to individuals has task satisfaction effects beyond those associated with the mere presence of feedback.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 70 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 November 2011

Maria Borbely

The primary goal of this paper was to find out how task effectiveness, completion, efficiency and task time affect the general user satisfaction with a specific software product…

1566

Abstract

Purpose

The primary goal of this paper was to find out how task effectiveness, completion, efficiency and task time affect the general user satisfaction with a specific software product, and which factors, mentioned above, have the biggest effect on user satisfaction. The secondary goal of this examination was to try out how the metrics of ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4 standard can be applied for measuring quality in use of the software product in a real library environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study introduces the results of research which focused on the measurement of user satisfaction using ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4. Data of the examination was gained from the logfiles of Web OPAC used at the University and National Library of University of Debrecen. Based on this data the study was seeking the relation between quality of task solution with the software product and user satisfaction. To carry out the examinations the University and National Library of University of Debrecen permitted access of its Web OPAC with four unique URL numbers. In this way it was possible to separate the logfiles of participants in the examination from those of other library users and analyse each separately. Measuring users' effectiveness, completion and efficiency was based on the relevant metrics of ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4‐ Quality in use metrics standard. The study measured the satisfaction after using the software with the questionnaire.

Findings

The study could not assess every potential user satisfaction influential factor, but focused on gaining data from log‐files, and converted them into metrics according to the ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4 standard. Of the examined factors, the effectiveness of task solution had the greatest influence on user satisfaction: among the four detailed factors effectiveness‐satisfaction variables, it possessed the highest calculated correlation coefficient value. Another important statement of this study was that during the satisfaction examinations it was necessary to be attentive to the satisfaction structure of well definable user groups, who used library information systems, and who showed special features.

Originality/value

Measuring user's effectiveness, completion and efficiency was based on the relevant metrics of ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4‐ Quality in use metrics standard.

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2011

Pablo Zoghbi‐Manrique‐de‐Lara

Despite the large number of empirical studies on employee attitudes and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), the amount of research on the possible role of concurrent…

658

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the large number of empirical studies on employee attitudes and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), the amount of research on the possible role of concurrent fairness and satisfaction in citizenship behaviors (OCBs) has been quite limited. Since it has been suggested that fair systems in an organization could indicate satisfaction, the purpose of this study is to propose using task satisfaction as a mediating variable in the relationship between procedural justice (PJ) and citizenship OC behaviors directed at the organization as a whole (OCBOs).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of non‐teaching staff at a university, and structural equation modeling was to be used for testing the relationships. The author argues that when organizational procedures are fairly implemented, they may lead employees to feeling happier about their tasks. Ths task satisfaction, in turn, would create a context prone to encouraging employees' compliance with the organization (conscientiousness) and active interest (civic virtue) in it, as well as tolerance to less than ideal circumstances (sportsmanship). The author suggests that it is in this satisfactory context where citizenship behaviors helping the organization (OCBOs) really occur.

Findings

Sequential χ2 difference test results indicated that PJ positively influenced task satisfaction and had a positive effect on citizenship directed at the organization (OCBOs) through its effect on employee task satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The study could suffer from mono‐method/source bias, and the university that supplied the sample has certain job conditions similar to those found in the public sector, thus raising concerns about the generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the scenario presented in our study leads to new and better understanding of how to promote citizenship directed at the organization (OCBOs). Since PJ predicts citizenship behaviors by eliciting task satisfaction, preparing the workplace with actions designed to “gain” task satisfaction, promote a fair system, and provide fair ways to establish tasks appears to be an efficient satisfaction‐producing strategy in promoting citizenship behaviors (OCBs).

Originality/value

Although fairness and satisfaction have been found to be significant attitudinal predictors of OCBs, no previous empirical studies have examined and supported the mediating role task satisfaction plays in explaining why PJ is able to predict citizenship behaviors directed at the organization (OCBOs).

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. 19 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 August 2023

Burcu Aydin Küçük and Hizir Konuk

This study aims to reveal the association between task conflict and job satisfaction with the mediating role of incivility and the moderating role of self-esteem. In addition, the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to reveal the association between task conflict and job satisfaction with the mediating role of incivility and the moderating role of self-esteem. In addition, the data collected from the UK and Turkey were analyzed separately, and the aim was to contribute to the literature in this field by analyzing the research model in a cultural context.

Design/methodology/approach

This research focuses on the relationship between managers and subordinates in organizations. In this study, a survey method was applied to 708 subordinates, both UK and Turkish citizens, working in nine different industries. The obtained data were first analyzed in combination; then, the data of both countries were analyzed separately, and the effect of cultural differences on the research model was investigated.>

Findings

According to the results obtained, the relationship between task conflict and job satisfaction is negative, and subordinates’ perceptions of incivility play a mediating role in this relationship. In addition, subordinates’ self-esteem level has a moderating role in the effect of task conflict on job satisfaction through incivility. However, there is no evidence of an effect of culture on this model.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by presenting new evidence on the antecedents of job satisfaction. In addition, it is one of the pioneering studies that provides evidence of the impact of the perceptions and personal characteristics of disputants in a task conflict on task conflict outcomes. Furthermore, this study contributes to the limited cross-cultural studies in the conflict and job satisfaction literature.

Details

International Journal of Conflict Management, vol. 34 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1044-4068

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 June 2021

Ziying Mo, Matthew Tingchi Liu and IpKin Anthony Wong

Drawing on self-determination theory and the service-profit chain, this study aims to expand the current understanding of the internal processes of internal market orientation…

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on self-determination theory and the service-profit chain, this study aims to expand the current understanding of the internal processes of internal market orientation (IMO) on an organizational commitment by investigating the interactive effect between job (task) satisfaction and internal service quality in the field of hospitality and tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the cross-level effects of internal service quality through a time-lagged field study with multilevel structural equation modeling analysis that involved 667 frontline employees from 40 casino hotels.

Findings

The results reveal the IMO has an indirect effect on affective and normative organizational commitments through the interaction of job (task) satisfaction with internal service quality, such that internal service quality compensates for relatively low levels of job (task) satisfaction. While no indirect effect is found on continuance organizational commitment.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends the service-profit chain by integrating self-determination theory and by investigating IMO’s indirect effects on commitment through the interaction between job (task) satisfaction and internal service quality.

Practical implications

The study provides practical solutions to the employee servicing and employee retention dilemmas faced by casino organizations.

Originality/value

This study advances the service-profit chain literature by proposing and theorizing an internal process of IMO, through the cross-level buffering effect of internal service quality on the relationship between job (task) satisfaction and organizational commitment. This study further presents the theoretical and managerial implications by understanding how employees’ perceptions and interpretations of IMO affect their commitment.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 33 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 April 2012

Jean Poitras

The purpose of this paper is to determine the importance of research setting in conflict research design. Research studies conducted in a university setting were compared to other…

1605

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the importance of research setting in conflict research design. Research studies conducted in a university setting were compared to other research conducted in workplaces.

Design/methodology/approach

A meta‐analysis of 28 related papers was conducted to compute effect sizes of the linkages between task conflict, relationship conflict, satisfaction and performance. The impact of the research setting (i.e. university vs workplace) as a moderator was also tested.

Findings

The research setting was found to be a significant moderator of the linkage between task conflict and satisfaction, task conflict and performance as well as relationship conflict and performance. In each case of moderation, the effect sizes were much greater when research was conducted in the workplace than in a university setting.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that research conducted in a university setting likely underestimated the impact of conflicts on the level of satisfaction and the degree of performance as compared to research conducted in a workplace setting.

Practical implications

The author proposes that more conflict studies should be conducted in a field setting. In addition, it is proposed that such studies include more often satisfaction and related variables in research design.

Originality/value

The majority of conflict research is conducted in a university setting (e.g. students doing a project for credit), under the assumption that the setting is a fair approximation of the workplace. The present study shows that this assumption might not be true.

Details

International Journal of Conflict Management, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1044-4068

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 June 2022

Diana K. Young, Alexander J. McLeod and Darrell Carpenter

In response to the tech skills gap, this research paper aims to examine the influence of occupational characteristics, gender and work-life balance on IT professionals'…

1459

Abstract

Purpose

In response to the tech skills gap, this research paper aims to examine the influence of occupational characteristics, gender and work-life balance on IT professionals' satisfaction with and commitment to their chosen occupation. In addition, the authors explore occupational differences across these investigated factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed a survey research method and partial least squares (PLS) modeling using 293 responses collected from professionals representing five clusters of Information Technology (IT) occupations. Authors further conducted exploratory post-hoc analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests to check for significant differences in key constructs across five IT occupational clusters.

Findings

Occupational characteristics were found to be significantly related to respondents' occupational satisfaction while work-life balance was associated with their level of occupational commitment. Authors also found that that the influence of work-life balance on occupational commitment was more positive for females than for males. Finally, significant differences were found for task significance, task variety, task autonomy, work-life balance and compensation across the five occupational clusters examined.

Originality/value

A key contribution of this study is the focus on IT professionals' satisfaction with and commitment to their chosen occupation rather than a job, organization or profession. Accordingly, the authors contribute a nuanced understanding of an occupation as a facet of job, professional and career outcomes. Authors also explore how gender moderates the influence of work-life balance on occupational commitment. Finally, rather than treating the IT profession as a unified whole as has been done in most prior studies, authors explore satisfaction and commitment related differences across occupational clusters.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. 36 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 November 2023

Kevin Kam Fung So, Hyunsu Kim, Stephanie Q Liu, Xiang Fang and Jochen Wirtz

Although humanoid robots are increasingly adopted in many business settings, the dynamic effects of anthropomorphism and the functional perceptions of service robots on consumers’…

Abstract

Purpose

Although humanoid robots are increasingly adopted in many business settings, the dynamic effects of anthropomorphism and the functional perceptions of service robots on consumers’ responses remain unclear. This paper aims to examine the impacts of robot anthropomorphism on consumers’ trust, receptivity and the downstream effect on satisfaction. Furthermore, it examines the mediating effects of perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) in the relationship between anthropomorphism and consumer responses.

Design/methodology/approach

After conducting two separate pilot studies to help design the research materials, this research involves three sequential studies. In studies 1A and 1B, the authors used two distinct humanoid robots (i.e. Connie and Pepper) to test the direct effects of anthropomorphism on trust and receptivity and the mediated effects via PEOU and PU. Study 2 conducted a 2 (robot appearance: machine-like vs. human-like) × 2 (task complexity: low vs. high) between-subjects experimental design to further explore the boundary effects of task complexity on trust and customer satisfaction.

Findings

This research theorizes and empirically examines the mediating effects of PEOU and PU in the relationship between anthropomorphism and consumers’ responses (i.e. trust and receptivity) to service robots. Results also demonstrate a moderating role of task complexity, whereby only when the task was complex did anthropomorphism affect consumer responses and customer satisfaction. The parallel mediations of PEOU and PU were also confirmed. However, when task complexity was low, the authors observed no differences between human- and machine-like robots.

Research limitations/implications

First, this research used a scenario-based method by exposing participants to different pictures or videos of service robots and measuring individuals’ responses. Consumers may respond differently upon interacting with robots in actual service contexts. Second, future research could investigate the effects of other aspects of anthropomorphism, such as robots’ voice characteristics (gender, high/low pitch), verbal communication styles and emotional expression. Finally, future research could explore other service contexts to test the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

Findings of this study also provide useful insight for companies interested in adopting service robots. First, the authors unearthed several positive outcomes of using human-like versus machine-like robots in service settings. Despite concerns about the perceived creepiness and discomfort associated with human-like robots, managers should not worry about these service agents’ potential negative effects. Second, it shows that human-like robots’ competitive advantage over machine-like robots stands out when task complexity is high. Managers should therefore carefully consider relevant service characteristics and task requirements when deciding whether to adopt robots.

Originality/value

This study provides original and valuable contributions to the growing literature on service robots by addressing scholarly incongruencies regarding the impact of anthropomorphism and disentangling its positive influence on consumers’ perceptions and acceptance of service robots. This study also contributes to research on technology acceptance and service robot receptivity by empirically demonstrating the mediating role of PEOU and PU. Furthermore, this research enriches the body of knowledge on task-technology fit by providing evidence that task complexity is a crucial factor to consider in service robot design.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 58 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2001

Leslie A. DeChurch and Michelle A. Marks

Intragroup conflict research has shown that task conflict can improve group outcomes, but it has not addressed how groups ensure that the positive aspects of task conflict are…

8942

Abstract

Intragroup conflict research has shown that task conflict can improve group outcomes, but it has not addressed how groups ensure that the positive aspects of task conflict are realized. This study examines the influence of group conflict management on group effectiveness, as well as the moderating role of group conflict management on task conflict—group outcome relationships. Results of a field survey of 96 business school project groups indicated that the use of agreeable conflict management in response to task conflict was associated with greater group satisfaction. Results examining group conflict management as a moderator showed that the relationship between task conflict and group performance was positive when conflict was actively managed and negative when it was passively managed. Similarly, task conflict improved group satisfaction when managed with agreeable behavior, and harmed satisfaction when neutral or disagreeable behaviors were used. Results from this work provide an important first look at how group conflict management behaviors directly impact group outcomes and affect task conflict—group outcome relationships.

Details

International Journal of Conflict Management, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1044-4068

Article
Publication date: 29 April 2021

Sanaz Manouchehri, Mahdieh Mirzabeigi and Tahere Jowkar

This paper aims to discover the effectiveness of Farsi-English query using ontology.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to discover the effectiveness of Farsi-English query using ontology.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study is quasi-experimental. The sample consisted of 60 students and graduate and doctoral staff from Shiraz University and the Regional Center for Science and Technology. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to assess the level of English language proficiency of users, background knowledge and their level of satisfaction with search results before and after using ontology. Each user also evaluated the relevance of the top ten results on the Google search engine results page before and after using ontology.

Findings

The findings showed that the level of complexity of the task, the use of ontology, the interactive effect of the level of complexity of the task with the domain knowledge of the users, and the interactive effect of the level of complexity of the task with ontology, influence the effectiveness of retrieval results from the users' point of view. The results of the present study also showed that the level of complexity of the task, the use of ontology, and the interactive effect of the level of complexity of the task and the use of ontology, affect the level of user satisfaction.

Originality/value

The results of this research are significant in both theoretical and practical aspects. Theoretically, given the lack of research in which the interactive effect of the use of ontology has examined the level of complexity of tasks and domain knowledge of users, the present study can be considered as an attempt to improve information retrieval systems. From a practical point of view, the results of this research will help researchers and designers of information retrieval systems to understand that the use of ontologies can be used to retrieve information and improve the query and assess the needs of users and their satisfaction in this field, and ultimately, making the information retrieval process more effective.

Details

Aslib Journal of Information Management, vol. 73 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-3806

Keywords

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