Job control as a predictor of work-related behaviours and feelings among managers – research study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between job control and aggressive, passive-avoidant and proactive behaviours among executive managers as a professional group. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 212 executive managers participated in the study. The study used three questionnaires: a self-designed scale to measure workplace control; a scale to identify three types of work-related behaviour (WORAB), namely aggressive, passive-avoidant and proactive behaviours; and an abbreviated version of a scale that measures feelings of work-related happiness (WORAF). Findings: All the three hypotheses formulated in the study were fully confirmed. Job control was found to be a moderate predictor of all the behaviours studied, and a relatively strong predictor of work-related feelings. The study also confirmed that positive feelings have a mediating effect in the relationship between control and the studied behaviours. Research limitations/implications: The self-reporting method adopted in this study is not an objective method, as it is based on the subjective feelings of respondents. In addition, the cross sectional nature of the study does not allow firm conclusions to be drawn about the cause-and effect relationship. Furthermore, since the respondents were recruited from a group of students at a single university, it cannot be said that they constitute a representative sample of managers. Practical implications: The results of the study indicate that extending the scope of control at work is a way to reduce undesirable behaviour on the part of executive managers on the one hand and away to strengthen their proactivity on the other. Originality/value: The relationship between job control and work-related feelings and behaviours has not been widely studied to date, especially among managers. Keywords: job control, work-related behaviours, work-related feelings of happiness, executive managers. Category of the paper: research paper.