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The impact of role stress and downsizing on purchasing: An exploratory case research stud

Posted on:1998-10-03Degree:Ph.DType:Dissertation
University:The Ohio State UniversityCandidate:Lewis, Phillip AllenFull Text:PDF
GTID:1469390014479934Subject:Marketing
Abstract/Summary:
Corporate trends toward downsizing prompted an exploration of the effect of task uncertainty and organizational formalization on role stress, as well as the effect of role stress on the job satisfaction of purchasing professionals. The literature suggested that task uncertainty and organizational formalization were possible antecedents to role stress, which has an inverse relationship with job satisfaction.;An exploratory case study methodology was used for research. Initial interviews with a purposive sample of purchasing managers were used to test the general form of an interview protocol for executability. Data for the main study were collected from twenty-seven interviews with three individuals in each of nine companies, representing three industries.;The proposed model relating task uncertainty, organizational formalization, role conflict, role ambiguity, and job satisfaction was only partially supported by the data. Statistical support was found for the relationships between job satisfaction and role stress (role conflict and role ambiguity). However, there was only limited statistical support for the relationships between role stress and task uncertainty and none for organizational formalization.;Open-ended questions used as part of the interview protocol yielded insights into the organizational changes confronting purchasing professionals. Anecdotal evidence suggested that the purchasing professionals interviewed were increasingly challenged and satisfied by their new roles and responsibilities. Respondents suggested that recognition of the purchasing function as a valuable organizational activity had a positive influence on job satisfaction.
Keywords/Search Tags:Role stress, Purchasing, Organizational, Job satisfaction, Task uncertainty
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