The Relationship Between Job Attitudes and Counterproductive Work Behaviors: The Moderating Role of Attitude Strength

by Hammond, Gregory David

This study investigated the relationship between job attitudes (i.e., job satisfaction and organizational commitment) and counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs). The moderating influence of attitude strength on the relationship between job attitudes and CWBs was also examined. Specifically, it was anticipated that stronger attitudes would be more strongly related to CWBs than would weaker attitudes. Finally, it was hypothesized that job attitudes would correlate more strongly with behaviors when the relationships between those variables were correctly specified. Results from a sample of employed undergraduates (N=296) indicated that more CWBs were significantly related to less supervisor satisfaction (r=-.11), less coworker satisfaction (r=-.21), less affective organizational commitment (r=-.20), and less normative organizational commitment (r=-.16). Findings also indicated partial support for the influence of moderating variables and the role of correctly specifying variables.