| Brown (1996) hypothesized that the relationships between job involvement and numerous outcome variables were mediated by various psychological factors, such as effort and organizational commitment. Based on Randall and Cote's (1991) model implicating job involvement as an antecedent of organizational commitment, some researchers (e.g., Carmeli & Freund, 2001; Cohen, 2000; Hackett, Lapierre, & Hausdorf, 2001) have recently examined the relationships Brown hypothesized. The current study proposed that supervisor-focused commitment (e.g., Becker, 1992) also potentially mediated job involvement's effects. Using social exchange theory (Blau, 1968; Emerson, 1972a, 1972b; Homans, 1961) as an integrative framework, the current study tested a structural equation model of these relationships. A revised model was ultimately selected as best fitting and was used to examine the hypotheses, which were not supported. Additional relationships were uncovered supporting Brown's original hypotheses, however. Support was found for the indirect effect of job involvement on in-role performance and both individually-directed and organization-focused citizenship behaviors through effort. Further, support also was found for the indirect effect on involvement on individually-directed citizenship through supervisor-focused affective commitment. |
