Comparing and contrasting person-environment fit and misfit

For previous Fit e-Conferences, we have presented various aspects of our research on how person-environment (PE) fit and misfit compare. We have argued that because so little is known about how individuals experience fit and misfit at work, qualitative, exploratory research was called for (Talbot & Billsberry, 2007; 2008). Last year, our e-conference contribution detailed how using causal mapping in PE fit research would enable individuals’ experiences of fit and misfit to be captured and, as well as generating rich idiographic data, would further be amenable to nomothetic analysis (Talbot, Ambrosini & Billsberry, 2009). This paper briefly reviews why we set out to research employees’ fit and misfit perceptions, how we used causal mapping and discusses the main findings from our research.

Exploring multidimensional person-environment fit

The current study examines the validity of a multidimensional Person-Environment (PE) fit model proposed by Jansen and Kristof-Brown (2006). The overall aim of the paper is to test the model’s factor structure and influences upon outcome measures. A panel of organisational employees from a wide range of companies and locations were asked to complete a survey (n = 1875) measuring five discrete multidimensional facets of PE fit (Person-Organisation, Person-People, Person-Job, Person-Group and Person-Vocation) and three outcomes; organisational commitment, intention to leave and job satisfaction. The first sequence of analysis tested the proposed model using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) statistical approaches. Model comparisons showed that Jansen and Kristof-Brown’s original model in which the five facets of fit coalesce into a multidimensional variable was a poor fit with the data, but that a model in which the five facets of fit operate independently was a good fitting one. The second sequence of analysis found that the model without the multidimensional variable strongly predicted the outcomes of commitment, job satisfaction and intention to leave. This paper discusses the implication of this research in relation to the PE fit literature.

Testing a multidimensional theory of person-environment fit

The current study examines the validity of a multidimensional Person-Environment (PE) fit model proposed by Jansen and Kristof-Brown (2006). The overall aim of the paper is to test the model's factor structure and influences upon outcome measures. A panel of organizational employees from a wide range of companies and locations were asked to complete a survey (n = 1,875) measuring five discrete dimensions of perceptual PE fit (Person-Organization, Person-People, Person-Job, Person-Group, and Person-Vocation) and three outcomes (organizational commitment, intention to leave, and job satisfaction). The first sequence of analysis tested the proposed model using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) statistical approaches. Model comparisons showed that Jansen and Kristof-Brown's (2006) original model in which the five dimensions of fit coalesce into a multidimensional construct was a poor fit with the data, but that a model in which the five dimensions of fit operate independently fit the data well. The second sequence of analysis found that the model without the multidimensional construct strongly predicted the outcomes of commitment, job satisfaction, and intention to leave. This paper discusses the implication of this research in relation to the PE fit literature.

Modeling gene-environment interaction in longitudinal data : risk for neuroticism due to interaction between maternal care and the Dopamine 4 Receptor gene (DRD4)

The purpose of this study was to investigate risk for neuroticism due to the joint action of low maternal care and compromised mesocorticolimbic ‘reward’ system function linked to a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) in the dopamine 4 receptor gene (DRD4). Data were drawn from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study, a longitudinal study of the health and well-being of 2,000 young Australians followed from adolescence to young adulthood across 8 waves from 14- to 28-years. Genetic risk was defined by carriage of at least one copy of the 7-repeat allele or derivative alleles 5, 6, and 8 (labeled 7R+). Neuroticism was assessed in adolescence and young adulthood. We observed an approximately fourfold increase in the odds of reporting neurotic symptoms in carriers of the 7R+ disposition who reported low maternal care compared with non-carriers who reported high maternal care. The percentage of risk attributable to mechanisms in which both factors played a role was 35%. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for prevention.

Gene-environment interaction in problematic substance use : interaction between DRD4 and insecure attachments

To investigate the combined effect of an exon III variable number tandem repeat in the dopamine receptor gene (DRD4) and insecure attachment style on risk for tobacco, cannabis and alcohol use problems in young adulthood. It was hypothesized that (1) individuals with 5, 6, 7 or 8 repeats (labelled 7R+) would be at increased risk for problematic drug use, and (2) risk for drug use would be further increased in individuals with 7R+ repeats who also have a history of insecure parent–child attachment relations. Data were drawn from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study, an eight-wave longitudinal study of adolescent and young adult development. DRD4 genotypes were available for 839 participants. Risk attributable to the combined effects of 7R+ genotype and insecure attachments was evaluated within a sufficient causes framework under the assumptions of additive interaction using a two-by-four table format with a common reference group. 7R+ alleles were associated with higher tobacco, cannabis and alcohol use (binging). Insecure attachments were associated with higher tobacco and cannabis use but lower alcohol use. For tobacco, there was evidence of interaction for anxious but not avoidant attachments. For cannabis, there was evidence of interaction for both anxious and avoidant attachments, although the interaction for anxious attachments was more substantial. There is no evidence of interaction for binge drinking. Results are consistent with a generic reward deficit hypothesis of drug addiction for which the 7R+ disposition may play a role. Interaction between 7R+ alleles and attachment insecurity may intensify risk for problematic tobacco and cannabis use.

MUSTe method for quantifying virtual environment training system efficacy

In the current era increased attention and interest of utilizing advanced computer technologies for training and education at all managerial levels and functional areas is apparent. One of such technologies, virtual environment (VE), is perceived to be effective in enhancing human abilities to learn abstract concept and complex procedural tasks. Despite its adaptation for training and fast-paced technological advancements, ways in which to evaluate efficacy of such technology are unclear. We have approached this problem by developed a new evaluation method focus on cognitive, affective and skillbased learning dimensions, based on traditional usability evaluation methods but tailored to specifically suit for the quantification of 3D VE system. We first describe the construct of the new method and then report a study utilizing the method in the context of quantifying a VE efficacy in an object assembly task. At last, we discuss the implications of such a method.

Interpreting Fanger's comfort equation within the adaptive paradigm

This paper reviews the evolution of Fanger's heat balance equation in regard of adaptive opportunities. Heat balance and adaptive response are integrated into one model as two fundamental aspects of human-environment interaction that define thermal comfort perception, rather than being seen as two concepts of alternative comfort paradigms. The paper suggests to extent Fanger's model with a heat storage term in order to account for comfort perception under transient thermal conditions, and to review Fanger's modelling assumptions in order to allow for a greater variety of adaptive response options. In the presented model heat exchange is modulated through adaptation of physiological, environmental and behavioural parameters in the human-environment system defined through Fanger's heat exchange equations. A computational prototype is implemented to determine 'comfortable' values and ranges of the six comfort dimensions alternatively to Fanger's comfort indices. Thereby values of for example 'comfortable' clothing and metabolic rate are results rather than necessary input parameters, which are difficult to determine. This approach allows generating design advice for physical, organisational and social environments based on heat balance calculation in the six-dimensional opportunity space defined through Fanger's comfort equation. A starting point for the development of a dynamic adaptive comfort model is set.

Affect : initiating heuristic life

This paper re-examines the relationship between affect and effect, discussing them as research values that have emerged from the life sciences, the arts and philosophy and, more importantly, considering them as systems of relations underpinning experiential orientation by which to initiate change and hold the world in place. The notion of æffect may be defined as the continuous measure performed upon the systems of affect/effect and reapplied to events and things. Æffect is a coordinated system of cognition where concurrent measures impact on each other. In doing so, they specify perception and action on multiple registers and scales of events. It is important to recognise that the functioning of affective and effective systems in the body allows, and even requires, paradoxical logics to coexist and be deployed as processes that shape the organism-person-environment. Discussion of selected works from Arakawa and Gins will supply examples of tactics that combine built environments with discursive constraints to guide embodied attention. The practice of embodied cognition dilates the thresholds separating the organism from person and the person from environment, and moves towards an atmospheric intricateness (Arakawa and Gins 2003a:25) that may become the blocs of a new materialism for heuristic life.

Employees' perceptions of fit and misfit

What makes some people feel that they fit in at work whilst others feel they misfit? This brief paper outlines a study which is currently in progress to explore individuals’ perceptions of fit and misfit at work. In the person-organisation and person-environment fit literature, fit and misfit tend to be shown as two ends of a spectrum, with an underlying assumption being that the two states are polar opposites. Whilst this seems intuitively logical, there has been no empirical test of this core assumption in the literature. This paper outlines a qualitative study, using causal mapping, to identify the factors affecting employees’ fit and misfit perceptions at work. It is anticipated that by the time of the BAM conference, the data analysis will be complete and full findings will be available.

The (almost) ubiquitous ASA framework

Ben Schneider’s ASA framework and the associated idea of homogeneity is a theoretical cornerstone on which most organisational person-environment (PE) fit studies are built. However, whilst it is commonly used to justify studies and to explain empirical findings, very few PE fit studies have moved the underlying ASA framework forward. More than 20 years on, the theory remains intact and has barely evolved. This paper begins with a short citation review that illustrates how the ASA framework is used in empirical studies. Following this, the body of the paper explores the reasons why the empirical studies that use the ASA framework as their theoretical underpinning are ineffective in revising Schneider’s ideas. The paper concludes with a discussion of the ASA framework’s rhetorical role and its inappropriateness as a theoretical justification of empirical PE fit studies.

The ASA framework as rhetoric

Ben Schneider’s ASA framework and the associated idea of homogeneity is a theoretical cornerstone on which most organisational person-environment (PE) fit studies are built. However, whilst it is commonly used to justify studies and to explain empirical findings, very few PE fit studies have moved the underlying ASA framework forward. More than 20 years on, the theory remains intact and has barely evolved. This paper contains a citation review that illustrates how the ASA framework is used in empirical studies. Following this, the body of the paper explores the reasons why the empirical studies that use the ASA framework as their theoretical underpinning are ineffective in revising Schneider’s ideas. The paper concludes with a discussion of the ASA framework’s rhetorical role and its inappropriateness as a theoretical justification of empirical PE fit studies.

The "strugglers" in selected computer based mathematics classrooms

In this paper, the experiences of lower achieving mathematics students in two secondary mathematics classrooms in which computers were regularly used are described. A year 8 and a year 9 mathematics class from one secondary school participated in the ethnographic study. The results show that in these two classrooms the learning relationships and power relationships did not, in general, support the learning and engagement of lower achievers in mathematics. Research into computer based teaching methods that engage low achieving students in computer based mathematics is needed.

Fuzzy simulation of pedestrian walking path considering local environmental stimuli

Pedestrian steering activity is a perception-based decision making process that involves interaction with the surrounding environment and insight into environmental stimuli. There are many stimuli within the environment that influence pedestrian wayfinding behaviour during walking activities. However, compelling factors such as individual physical and psychological characteristics and trip intention cause the behaviour become a very fuzzy concept. In this paper pedestrian steering behaviour is modelled using a fuzzy logic approach. The objective of this research is to simulate pedestrian walking paths in indoor public environments during normal and non-panic situations. The proposed algorithm introduces a fuzzy logic framework to predict the impact of perceived attractive and repulsive stimuli, within the pedestrian's field of view, on movement direction. Environmental stimuli are quantified using the social force method. The algorithm is implemented in a simulated area of an office corridor consist of a printer and exit door. Stochastic simulation using the proposed fuzzy algorithm generated realistic walking trajectories, contour map of dynamic change of environmental effects in each step of movement and high flow areas in the corridor.

The impact of self-efficacy and perceived system efficacy on effectiveness of virtual training systems

This study developed and tested a research model which examined the impact of user perceptions of self-efficacy (SE) and virtual environment (VE) efficacy on the effectiveness of VE training systems. The model distinguishes between the perceptions of one’s own capability to perform trained tasks effectively and the perceptions of system performance, regarding the established parameters from literature. Specifically, the model posits that user perceptions will have positive effects on task performance and memory. Seventy-six adults participated in a VE in a controlled experiment, designed to empirically test the model. Each participant performed a series of object assembly tasks. The task involved selecting, rotating, releasing, inserting and manipulating 3D objects. Initially, the results of factor analysis demonstrated dimensionality of two user perception measures and produced a set of empirical validated factors underlining the VE efficacy. The results of regression analysis revealed that SE had a significant positive effect on perceived VE efficacy. No significant effects were found of perceptions on performance and memory. Furthermore, the study provided insights into the relationships between the perception measures and performance measures for assessing the efficacy of VE training systems. The study also addressed how well users learn, perform, adapt to and perceive the VE training, which provides valuable insight into the system efficacy.
Research and practical implications are presented at the end of the paper.