Gedrag & Organisatie - Volume 23, Issue 1, 2010

Learning while working? Karasek's active learning hypothesis revisited

J. Van Ruysseveldt & J. Taverniers, Gedrag & Organisatie, volume 23, March 2010, nr. 1, pp. 0-00

Using Structural Equation Modeling (Amos 5), a research model in which the assumptions underlying Karasek's active learning hypothesis were specified, refined and supplemented, was tested on a heterogeneous sample of the Dutch working population (N = 1229). We assumed that (a) task complexity, autonomy and work pressure influence the development of new competencies, and (b) task-related and interactional learning possibilities mediate this relation. Three more or less competing structural models (no, partial and full mediation) were tested. As hypothesized, the full mediation model showed the best fit to the data: the relation between task complexity, autonomy and work pressure on the one hand and the development of new competencies on the other was fully mediated by task related and interactional learning possibilities. Task complexity played an important role in workplace learning processes, while high work pressure seemed to hinder competency development. In addition to ensuring the safety, health and well-being of employees, the (re)design of workplaces should also take into account the extent to which the work promotes workplace learning.

Reduction of negative stereotypes about Moroccans through a movie

A. Vrugt, M. Jacobs & R. Meertens, Gedrag & Organisatie, volume 23, March 2010, nr. 1, pp. 0-00

This study investigated whether looking at the movie 'Cool' of Theo van Gogh would reduce secondary school students' negative stereotypes about Moroccans. The results showed that appreciation of the movie contributed through empathy with the Moroccan protagonists in the movie to small attribution of negative stereotypical traits to Moroccans in general. Before looking at this movie the participants ascribed negative stereotypical traits to a greater extent to Moroccans in general than to young people in general. After looking at the movie the participants less strongly ascribed negative stereotypical traits to Moroccans in general than before. Moreover, after looking at the movie negative stereotypical traits were ascribed to a greater extent to young people in general than before. After looking at the movie there were no longer any differences between the attribution of negative stereotypical traits to Moroccans in general and young people. Furthermore, empathy had a negative relationship with the attribution of undesirable behaviour to personal dispositions, and the undesirable behaviour of Moroccan young people was attributed less to personal dispositions after looking at the movie than before.

A quantitative analysis of the contributions of Dutch scientists to work and organisational psychology internationally

C.K.W. De Dreu, Gedrag & Organisatie, volume 23, March 2010, nr. 1, pp. 0-00

The author reports a quantitative analysis of the absolute and relative numbers of publications in six high-ranking journals on work and organisational psychology, (co-)authored by scientists with a Dutch, German, or British affiliation. In contrast to Germany and Great Britain, analyses reveal a strong growth in both publications and citations for publications with a Dutch affiliation from 1990-1999 and 2000-2009. Content analyses of the top twenty most-cited articles in each period reveals that Dutch scientists contribute to work and organisational psychology influential research in the areas of psychological well-being (stress, burnout) and group processes, including conflict management and team performance.

Age, the psychological contract, and job attitudes: a meta-analysis

P.M. Bal, A.H. De Lange, P.G.W. Jansen & M.E.G. Van der Velde, Gedrag en Organisatie, volume 23, March 2010, nr. 1, pp. 00-00.

The meta-analysis investigated the relations between age and psychological contracts. It was expected that age would be positively related to the employer obligations, and that age would moderate the relations between contract breach and job attitudes. The hypotheses were tested by means of a meta-analysis of 76 studies with in total 28,773 respondents. It was found that age is related negatively but marginally to the psychological contract, and that age moderated the relations between psychological contract breach and job attitudes. The relations between contract breach on the one hand and trust and affective commitment on the other hand were stronger for older workers, whereas the relation between contract breach and job satisfaction was stronger among younger workers. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Mood, motivational orientation, fit, and creativity: The role of mental activation

M. Baas, C.K.W. De Dreu, & B.A. Nijstad, Gedrag & Organisatie, volume 23, March 2010, nr. 1, pp. 00-00.

This article aims to increase our understanding of the ways mood and motivational states influence creativity. Based on the dual pathway to creativity model, we argue that creativity is function of flexibility (the number of content categories that is surveyed), and of persistence (the exploration of a few content categories in great depth). Second, the model argues that affective and motivational states that activate the individual (e.g., happiness, anger, fear, approach states, unsuccessful avoidance motivation) enhance creativity as compared to motivational states that deactivate the individual (e.g., sadness, relaxed state, successful avoidance). We discuss a series of experiments that support these predictions. Furthermore, the positive effects of activating states are stronger when the creativity task fits the motivational state. We end with practical implications for managers and policy makers about how to boost employee creativity.