Development and Field Tests of the Army Work Environment Questionnaire
Abstract
Empirical research has investigated work performance in terms of taxonomies of abilities values and personality characteristics. However, until recently little research has focused on developing environmental taxinomies or examining relationships between these factors and performance criteria. Although field studies have supported associations between environmental variables and affective reaction to the job, these variables have shown only weak and inconsistent relationships with performance ratings. In this research, a 14- dimension environmental taxonomy containing variables that had both a facilitating and inhibiting influence on soldier performance was identified through application of a critical incident methodology. Further, a 110-item Army Work Environment Questionnaire (AWEQ) was developed to measure these job- and climate-oriented environmental dimensions. The influence of these environmental variables on a comprehensive set of supervisor and peer ratings of soldier effectiveness, job knowledge tests, and hands-on measures was examined for a sample of about 1,300 Army enlisted personnel from nine military jobs. Principal component factor analyses with a varimax rotation indicated that a 5-factor solution consisting of (1) Resources and Equipment, (2) Support, (3) Skills Utilization, (4) Perceived Job Importance, and (5) Unit Cooperation and Cohesiveness provided a parsimonious explanation of the underlying Army environment constructs. Significant (p < .05) correlations were found between such environmental variables as Perceived Job Importance, Skills Utilization, and Support and both ratings and the more objective performance measures. Implications for future research are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA182078
Entities
People
- Darlene M. Olson
- Walter C. Borman