Is the Bifactor Model a Better Model or Is It Just Better at Modeling Implausible Responses? Application of Iteratively Reweighted Least Squares to the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale

Although the structure of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) has been exhaustively evaluated, questions regarding dimensionality and direction of wording effects continue to be debated. To shed new light on these issues, we ask (a) for what percentage of individuals is a unidimensional model adequate, (b) what additional percentage of individuals can be modeled with multidimensional specifications, and (c) what percentage of individuals respond so inconsistently that they cannot be well modeled? To estimate these percentages, we applied iteratively reweighted least squares (IRLS) to examine the structure of the RSES in a large, publicly available data set. A distance measure, d_s, reflecting a distance between a response pattern and an estimated model, was used for case weighting. We found that a bifactor model provided the best overall model fit, with one general factor and two wording-related group factors. However, on the basis of d_r?values, a distance measure based on individual residuals, we concluded that approximately 86% of cases were adequately modeled through a unidimensional structure, and only an additional 3% required a bifactor model. Roughly 11% of cases were judged as “unmodelable” due to their significant residuals in all models considered. Finally, analysis of d_s revealed that some, but not all, of the superior fit of the bifactor model is owed to that model's ability to better accommodate implausible and possibly invalid response patterns, and not necessarily because it better accounts for the effects of direction of wording.     

Reducing implicit prejudice: Matching approach/avoidance strategies to contextual valence and regulatory focus

Two general strategies for reducing prejudice are to approach equality and to avoid prejudice. The current research investigated the importance of matching two factors, contextual valence and regulatory focus, on the efficacy of these two strategies in reducing implicit prejudice. The findings demonstrate that although an approach strategy is more effective in decreasing prejudice on the Implicit Association Test in a positive rather than a negative context, an avoidance strategy is more effective in decreasing prejudice in a negative rather than a positive context (Study 1). In addition, the results show that although an approach strategy is more effective in decreasing prejudice when a promotion rather than a prevention focus is primed, an avoidance strategy is more effective in reducing prejudice when a prevention rather than a promotion focus is primed (Study 2). The implications of these findings for current interventions aimed at decreasing implicit prejudice are discussed.     

人事选拔决策过程的匹配评价研究: 基于策略捕捉技术

传统的人事选拔是以胜任力或者说是人－职匹配为基础的,即强调基于胜任力,但研究者和实践者们越来越多的强调人－组织匹配在人事选拔中的重要性,即强调人事选拔过程中招募者匹配评价的多维性。本研究通过实验运用策略捕捉技术,检验多种职位特征和不同层次的匹配评价对选拔雇佣结果的影响。通过HLM分析结果发现四种匹配类型需要－供给匹配、要求－能力匹配、个性匹配和价值观匹配对雇佣决策都有显著的独立主效应,招募者在长期招募比短期招募中更多依靠个性匹配来评价应聘者,招募者在对管理类职位更多依靠价值匹配来进行评价,而对专业类职位则更多依靠要求－能力匹配进行评价。     

Socializing the newcomer: The mediating role of leader–member exchange

We expand organizational socialization research by integrating social exchange theory, specifically leader–member exchange (LMX), as an important mediator in explaining newcomer attachment to the job, occupation, and organization. Using temporally-lagged data from 213 newcomers across 12 telemarketing organizations, we found that newcomer perceptions of LMX mediate the association between supervisory socialization tactics (i.e. supervisory job-focused advice, guidance, and role modeling) and occupational identification as well as between supervisory socialization tactics and perceived person-organization fit – but not between supervisory socialization tactics and job satisfaction. Our study specifies (1) LMX as a compelling mediating mechanism within the new employee ‘on-boarding’ process and (2) the immediate supervisor as an important relational source for newcomer attitudes.     

决策过程中的调节匹配效应及其机制

以大学生为被试,运用实验法探讨了决策过程中调节定向与信息搜索模式之间的匹配效应及其机制。结果显示：(1) 促进定向组被试决策时更偏好基于属性的信息搜索模式,而预防定向组被试决策时更偏好基于选项的信息搜索模式;(2)当两种调节定向组被试分别使用各自所偏好的信息搜索模式制定决策时,达成了调节匹配,相比调节不匹配,这种匹配使被试对其所做选择给出了更积极的评价,即出现了调节匹配效应;(3)加工流畅性可以部分地解释这种调节匹配效应。     

国别属性重要吗？代言人与广告效果关系研究的新视角

随着全球市场的形成, 一些中国企业开始选取外国明星作为产品的代言人, 目的是希望借外籍代言人提升品牌的吸引力, 获得消费者的喜爱与购买。与此同时, 一些跨国企业也开始使用中国明星为其产品代言, 以期通过“本土化”加强消费者对品牌的认同, 从而最终接受这一品牌。然而, 这种做法是否令消费者认可和接受, 其广告效果到底如何还是未知数。从目前来看, 这一作法既缺乏理论论证也缺乏实践的检验。根据代言人匹配假说, 作者认为代言人国别属性与产品国别色彩的一致性对广告效果也具有重要的影响。通过3(中、外、无国别特色产品)×2(功能性产品、享乐性产品)×2(中、外代言人)的实验设计, 验证了代言人与产品国别一致性作为调节变量对代言人特征与广告效果关系具有正向的影响, 即当代言人国别属性与产品国别色彩一致时, 广告效果明显优于不一致的情形。对于中国特色产品, 中国代言人的广告效果更好, 而对于外国文化色彩以及无国别色彩的产品, 外国代言人的广告效果要明显高于中国代言人。     

Taking a deeper look inside autonomous and interdependent teams: why,how, and when does informational dissimilarity elicit dysfunctional versus beneficial effects

ABSTRACT

Organizations increasingly use cross-functional teams, characterized by autonomy and interdependence, to improve innovation and to adapt to a dynamic business environment. Based on this trend, prior research started to investigate informational dissimilarity (employee’s dissimilarity relative to teammates regarding education, job specialization, and expertise) in teams. Two key team outcomes are 1) team members’ satisfaction with the team and 2) the team’s proactivity. Paradoxically, some researchers reported dysfunctional informational dissimilarity effects on employee outcomes, while some reported beneficial effects. To integrate opposing informational dissimilarity effects, we apply the categorization-elaboration model of team diversity. We theorize that perceived informational dissimilarity can elicit simultaneously dysfunctional effects on satisfaction with the team and beneficial effects on the team member’s proactivity. We specify the mechanisms of both effects by investigating the mediating roles of peer unfairness (representing dysfunctional informational dissimilarity effects) and information elaboration (representing beneficial informational dissimilarity effects). To reconcile these contradicting processes, we analyse the role of trust. We conducted a survey study at three different measurement time points with team members from different organizations. The results indicate that trust in teammates dampens dysfunctional informational dissimilarity effects and amplifies beneficial effects.     

Involuntary and voluntary demotion: employee reactions and outcomes

ABSTRACT

Demotion has received little attention from scholars and practitioners alike. The purpose of this study was to assess empirically the reaction to, and outcomes of, both involuntary and voluntary demotion. Drawing on 49 semi-structured in-depth interviews with 28 involuntarily demoted workers and 21 voluntarily demoted workers, we develop a conceptual model using organizational justice theory and person-job fit of the reaction to and outcomes of demotion. We show that involuntarily demoted individuals might react by expressing turnover intentions and lower motivation and commitment, indicating that the demotee’s reaction is related to perceptions of fairness. Voluntary demotion is related to a better work-life balance, greater satisfaction, less stress and burnout and is perceived to be a viable phased retirement option by older workers. In addition, the findings highlight the role of demotion-related stigma, status loss, identity threat, and age in the way employees react to the experience of demotion.