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The problem of empirical redundancy of constructs in organizational research: An empirical investigation

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  • Le, Huy
  • Schmidt, Frank L.
  • Harter, James K.
  • Lauver, Kristy J.

Abstract

Construct empirical redundancy may be a major problem in organizational research today. In this paper, we explain and empirically illustrate a method for investigating this potential problem. We applied the method to examine the empirical redundancy of job satisfaction (JS) and organizational commitment (OC), two well-established organizational constructs. Analysis based on responses from a sample of 292 employees collected at two occasions showed that: (a) the construct-level correlation between JS and OC was very high (.91) and (b) both JS and OC are similarly related to positive affectivity and negative affectivity. These results suggest that the constructs may be empirically indistinguishable, despite their well-established conceptual distinction. These findings illustrate the problem of empirical redundancy of organizational constructs and provide a basis for a possible movement towards parsimony in the realm of constructs that could open the way to more rapid advances in knowledge in organizational research.

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  • Le, Huy & Schmidt, Frank L. & Harter, James K. & Lauver, Kristy J., 2010. "The problem of empirical redundancy of constructs in organizational research: An empirical investigation," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 112(2), pages 112-125, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:112:y:2010:i:2:p:112-125
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Harter, James K. & Schmidt, Frank L., 2008. "Conceptual Versus Empirical Distinctions Among Constructs: Implications for Discriminant Validity," Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Cambridge University Press, vol. 1(1), pages 36-39, March.
    2. Judge, Timothy A. & Larsen, Randy J., 2001. "Dispositional Affect and Job Satisfaction: A Review and Theoretical Extension," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 86(1), pages 67-98, September.
    3. Singh, Jagdip, 1991. "Redundancy in constructs: Problem, assessment, and an illustrative example," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 22(3), pages 255-280, May.
    4. Lee Cronbach, 1947. "Test “reliability”: Its meaning and determination," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, March.
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