Employee attitudes,organizational performance,and qualitative factors underlying success

The first phase of this study investigated the relationship between aspects of organizational climate as assessed by a full consensus employee survey and a variety of organizational performance measures. Strong relationships were found for customer satisfaction, absenteeism, second level grievances, safety, and profits in the expected directions. Subsequent comparisons of the groups above or below one standard deviation from the mean score on an employee survey were completed to determine the extent of the differences suggested by the correlations. In the second phase of this study, a qualitative research project was conducted to determine those aspects of the organizational climate that were associated with the high scoring groups but not with either the average or low scoring groups. Strong evidence was found indicating that the presence of a caring, involved leader was the critical ingredient in the organization's success. The implications of these findings for organizational performance improvement efforts are discussed.