A theoretical framework for understanding age-related differences in work attitudes and behavior is presented. Then, based on a review of more than 185 research studies, age-related differences in three major categories of variables are examined: work attitudes, work behaviors, and values, needs, and preferences, The work attitudes include overall job satisfaction; satisfaction with work itself, pay, promotions, coworkers, and supervision; job involvement; internal work motivation; organizational commitment; and turnover intention. Among the behavioral characteristics are performance, turnover, absenteeism, and accidents. Consistent age-related differences are reported for a number of work attitudes and behaviors, but conceptual and methodological difficulties preclude identifying causal factors in the relationship between age and work attitudes and behaviors. Finally, some theoretical orientations having utility for guiding theory development and research on age differences are discussed.

No abstract

Based on a sample of worker-owners in a producer cooperative and employees in a conventional organization, this study empirically tests portions of a theoretical model explaining the relationship between worker ownership and control and work attitudes and behaviors. According to the model, worker-owners in the cooperative are hypothesized to have higher perceptions of particiption in decision-making, pay equity, performance-reward contingencies, and group work norms than are employees in the conventional organization. These perceptions, in turn, are expected to lead to an increased commitment to the organization and lower levels of absenteeism, tardiness, accidents, grievances, and turnover. Results partially support the model with members of the cooperative being more committed to their organization, while at the same time having higher absenteeism and tardiness levels than employees in the conventional firm. Implications of results are presented, and directionsforfuture research are discussed.

No abstract

No abstract