Interactive Effects of Uncertainty and Self-Control on the Acceptance of Responsibility for,and Satisfaction with,Performance

Abstract

This study investigates the interactive effects of environmental uncertainty and self-control on the acceptance of responsibility for, and the satisfaction with, performance. A sample of graduate management students completed a questionnaire containing Rotter's locus of control scale and descriptions of four administrative situations, differing in environmental uncertainty and in the amount of self-control possible. Each case was followed by questions about the amount of responsibility they would accept if put in charge, and their satisfaction if they performed above or below average. An analysis of variance was then performed on these data.

It was found that the situational factors identified significant differences and interactions but that the locus of control factor did not. Specifically, under both the low and high self-control situations, increasing the amount of environmental uncertainty reduced the amount of responsibility accepted. However, under the low self-control environment there was a significantly greater reduction both in the responsibility accepted and also expected of a subordinate. Similarly, under both levels of self-control, increasing environmental uncertainty lessened satisfaction with good performance and also lessened dissatisfaction with poor performance. However, again there was a significantly greater change under conditions of low self-control than for high self-control. Implications of the findings for the design of administrative systems are discussed.