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So, What Am I Supposed to Do? A Multilevel Examination of Role Clarity

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  • Olli-Pekka Kauppila

Abstract

Although prior research generally holds that role clarity is affected by both individual characteristics and organizational contexts, current conceptual or empirical models do not reflect the multilevel nature of these antecedents. A more complete understanding of how role clarity emanates from different organizational levels is necessary to help prevent poor job performance and other harmful consequences of ambiguous role expectations. To address this, I begin this research by investigating the effects of internal work locus of control, general self-efficacy, and leader–member exchange on role clarity. With respect to the cross-level effects, I focus on the roles of a manager's control style and the organization's strategy-making pattern. Analyses of a multi-industry, multilevel dataset collected from 724 employees and 124 managers in 25 organizations in Finland suggest that all of the individual-level independent variables and a deliberate strategy-making pattern improve role clarity. However, a deliberate strategy-making pattern negatively moderates the relationship between general self-efficacy and role clarity. Finally, even though an outcome-based control system causes role ambiguity among employees in most functional areas, it may be an effective driver of role clarity among employees in sales jobs.

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  • Olli-Pekka Kauppila, 2014. "So, What Am I Supposed to Do? A Multilevel Examination of Role Clarity," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(5), pages 737-763, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:51:y:2014:i:5:p:737-763
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    2. M.A. Zaheer & M.A. Raza & M. Manzoor & U.A. Raja, 2024. "Is role clarity and workplace autonomy the key dilemma for multinational telecommunication organizations in developing countries?," Upravlenets, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 15(2), pages 48-65, May.
    3. Tingting Chen & Fuli Li & Kwok Leung, 2017. "Whipping into shape: Construct definition, measurement, and validation of directive-achieving leadership in Chinese culture," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 34(3), pages 537-563, September.
    4. Yusliza M-Y & Choo Poh Wai & Jayaraman K. & Rimi Nadia Newaz & Muhammad Zikri, 2019. "HR Line Manager’s Reflections on HRM Effectiveness through HR Roles and Role Stressors," South East European Journal of Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 14(1), pages 34-48, June.
    5. Maria Christina Meyers & Dorien Kooij & Brigitte Kroon & Renee Reuver & Marianne Woerkom, 2020. "Organizational Support for Strengths Use, Work Engagement, and Contextual Performance: The Moderating Role of Age," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 485-502, April.
    6. Munwar Hussain Pahi & Umair Ahmed & Abdullah Zafar Sheikh & Sarfraz Ahmed Dakhan & Faiz Muhammad Khuwaja & T. Ramayah, 2020. "Leadership and Commitment to Service Quality in Pakistani Hospitals: The Contingent Role of Role Clarity," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(4), pages 21582440209, October.
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