Situational Constraints and Employee Affective Reactions: A Partial Field Replication

Abstract

Results from prior laboratory investigations have shown that when inhibit ing situational constraints are present on a job, workers' performance is lower and they report experiencing greater frustration and less satisfaction with their jobs. The present research was undertaken in order to replicate, within a field setting, a portion of previous findings dealing with these negative impacts of situational constraints. In the current study, the presence of inhibiting constraints was found to be associated with higher employee frustra tion and lower satisfaction scores. Results were generalized across numerous managerial and nonmanagerial jobs located throughout a diversity of organiza tions. Implications for future research and practice are discussed .