Skip to main content

Application of the Valence-Instrumentality-Expectancy and Multiattribute Utility Models in the Prediction of Worker Effort

  • Chapter
Understanding Economic Behaviour

Part of the book series: Theory and Decision Library ((TDLA,volume 11))

Abstract

According to the cognitive approach to motivation and decision, the choice among alternative actions is in fact the choice among outcomes that differ in their value and their probability. These outcomes can either be goals in themselves or the means of achieving goals (i.e., instrumental values). Clear examples of choices associated with the first type of outcome are moral decisions, while examples of choices connected with the second type of outcome are economic decisions.

The first study reported in the present paper was designed in order to compare two models for predicting choices among alternative efforts in a work setting. The second study was designed in order to investigate possible reasons for the lack of predictive success of this whole class of models. This study too was carried out in an industrial setting.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arvey, R.D. (1972). Task performance as a function of perceived effort-performance and performance-reward contingencies. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 8, 423–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Broedling, L.A. (1975). Relationship of internal-external control to work motivation and performance in an expectancy model. Journal of Applied Psychology, 60, 65–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dachler, H.P., & Mobley, W.H. (1973). Construct validation of an instrumentality-expectancy-task-goal model of work motivation: Some theoretical boundary conditions. Journal of Applied Psychology Monograph, 58, 397–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, A.L. (1957a). Social desirability and probability of endorsement of items in the interpersonal check list. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 55, 394–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, A.L. (1957b). The social desirability variable in personality assessment and research. New York: Dryden Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, D.C., & Arnold, W.J. (1978). Position choice: Comparing the importance of organizational and job factors. Journal of Applied Psychology, 63, 706–710.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, E.W. (1976). Multidimensional utility models for risky and riskless choice. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 17, 127–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, L.B. (1968). Simple models or simple processes? American Psychologist, 23, 483–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graen, G. (1969). Instrumentality theory of work motivation: Some experimental results and suggested modifications. Journal of Applied Psychology Monograph, 53, 2, Part 2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jorgenson, D.O., & Dunnette, M.D. (1973). Effects of the manipulation of a performance-reward contingency on behavior in a simulated work setting. Journal of Applied Psychology, 57, 271–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawler, E.E., & Porter, L.W. (1967). Antecedent attitudes of effective managerial performance. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 2, 122–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawler, E.E., & Suttle, J.L. (1973). Expectancy theory and job behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 19, 482–503.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, T.R. (1974). Expectancy models of job satisfaction, occupational preference, and effort: A theoretical, methodological, and empirical appraisal. Psychological Bulletin, 81, 1053–1077.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, T.R. (1979). Organizational behavior. Annual Review of Psychology, 30, 243–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, T.R., & Beach, L.R. (1979). A review of occupational preferences and choice research using expectancy theory and decision theory. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 49, 231–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, T.R., & Nebeker, D.M. (1973). Expectancy theory predictions of academic effort and performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 57, 61–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nebeker, D.M., & Mitchell, T.R. (1974). Leader behavior: An expectancy theory approach. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 11, 355–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, R.D., & De Leo, PJ. (1973). Experimental test of the valence-instrumentality relationship in job performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 57, 264–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, R.D., & Sanders, M.B. (1973). The influence of valence, instrumentality, and expectancy on effort and performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 57, 55–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rotter, J. B. (1954). Social learning and clinical psychology. New York: Prentice-Hall.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, F.L. (1973). Implications of measurement problems for expectancy theory research. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 10, 243–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stahl, M.J., & Harrel, A.J. (1981). Modeling effort decision with behavioral decision theory: Toward an individual differences model of expectancy theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 27, 303–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stahl, M.J., & Harrel, A.M. (1983). Using decisions modeling to measure second level valences in expectancy theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 32, 23–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vroom, V.H. (1964). Work and motivation. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zedeck, S. (1977). An information processing model and approach to the study of motivation. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 18, 47–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sokołowska, J. (1989). Application of the Valence-Instrumentality-Expectancy and Multiattribute Utility Models in the Prediction of Worker Effort. In: Grunert, K.G., Ölander, F. (eds) Understanding Economic Behaviour. Theory and Decision Library, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2470-3_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2470-3_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7614-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2470-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics