The relationship between worker alienation and work-related behavior

Abstract This study examines the relationship between five dimensions of alienation from work—powerlessness, normlessness, meaninglessness, self-evaluative involvement, and instrumental work orientation—and the work-related behavior of effort, performance, absenteeism, and tardiness. A related issue is the distinctness or commonality of the dimensions of alienation. The results show that the five dimensions of alienation are empirically distinct. Significant associations between the dimensions of powerlessness, normlessness, and meaninglessness and the work behavior suggest that feelings of alienation may result in less effort and performance and more tardiness from work. The implication of the results for understanding workers' motivation to participate in and to perform the work of the organization are discussed.

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