Key findings
After the data collection, the survey was statistically analyzed. The main results can be summarized as follows:
High levels of the trait conscientiousness increase employee´s commitment in a self-managing organization compared to a hierarchically managed organization.
Similarly, also low levels of the trait extraversion foster employee´s commitment in a self-managing organization compared to a hierarchically managed organization.
In other words, an employee who is very conscious (exhibits attributes such as being organized, dependable, thorough, reliable) and who is rather introverted (exhibits attributes such as being silent, unsociable, passive, lethargic) is predisposed to work in a self-managed organization.
What can practice learn from this findings?
The findings of the study have several implications for practice:
Hiring process in SMOs
Consideration of personality traits in the recruiting process seems advisable. In particular, employees who have a high level of the personality trait conscientiousness seem to be very suitable for working in an SMO.
Employee training in SMOs
Skills related to conscientiousness, such as time management or work routines, should be promoted.
Decision to implement the SMO design
The decision to implement SMO design or not should take into account the individual characteristics of the workforce. If the employees are very conscientious, they seem to have very good prerequisites for working in an SMO design.
How do the findings contribute to theory?
The study makes also valuable contributions to theory:
Extending personality research to SMOs
The study examined the impact of personality on work outcomes in SMO environments. So far (see current state of knowledge), the relationship between personality and employee effectiveness has only been studied in work environment with high autonomy, but not in organizational designs with a radical decentralization of authority.
Inclusion of a further individual factor
Besides personality, professional experience was considered when investigating employee effectiveness in SMOs. In doing so, this study goes beyond a pure personality examination.
Experimental vignette method
The two scenarios allowed all participants to base their rating on the same situations.