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Work values, work attitude and job performance of green energy industry
employees in Taiwan
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This research aimed to explore the relations among work values, work attitude (including job
involvement and organizational commitment) and job performance, and explore how the director’s
leadership may be a moderator between the work values and work attitude of green industry employees
in Taiwan. Data was collected through convenience sampling. The samples in this study were
employees and directors in the green energy industry in Taiwan, A total of 650 questionnaires were sent
to employees and 120 questionnaires to directors. Of these, 485 valid questionnaires from the
employees were received as well as 92 questionnaires from the directors. The research results found a
positive correlation between work values and job attitude (including job involvement and organizational
commitment). A mediated effect was shown in work attitude and job involvement toward work value and
job performance. Directors with a supportive and directive leadership style had a moderate effect on the
relations between work values and work attitude (including job involvement and organizational
commitment).
Key words: Work value, work attitude, leadership style, job performance, green energy industry.
INTRODUCTION
Governments around the world are going green in an efficiency improvements, US$170 million toward energy
attempt to combat climate change with energy efficiency technology R&D, and US$112 million towards energy
and carbon reductions. After the global financial crisis, efficiency for buildings. Japan is planning to invest
the US, Japan, China, the UK, Germany and Korea US$11.3 billion in cleantech, including US$3.7 billion on
invested an aggregation of US$184.9 billion in clean subsidies for environmentally-friendly vehicles and
energies. Among these investments, approximately US$470 million on solar installations, as part of its
US$65.7 billion have gone to energy efficiency, US$35.3 economic stimulus packages. The Korean government
billion to renewable energy, US$48.6 billion to smart has launched the Green New Deal by investing US$7.7
grids, US$22.1 billion to R&D, US$4.8 billion to billion in cleantech, including LED technology, green
transportation and US$8.4 billion to others. In the US, transportation systems and green cities (defined as an IT
President Obama’s decision to spend US$209 billion in industry that resolves economic and social issues), as
clean energy projects has spurred a wave of renewable well as US$6 billion on eco-buildings and US$1.8 billion
energy technologies and start-ups. Germany intends to on renewable energy and clean vehicles (Bureau of
spend US$3.7 billion on cleantech, as part of its econo- Energy, 2011). According to the 2010 data from
mic stimulus and green energy campaign. Among these Marketbuzz, WWEA and Strategic Unlimited, the global
investments, US$675 million will go towards energy demand for green energies is continuing to rise,
prompting the growth of relevant industries. Taking the
solar industry as an example, solar installations in 2010
totaled approximately 12 GW, with a production value of
*Corresponding author. E-mail: tcwliao@cc.ncue.edu.tw. Tel: US$26.3 billion. The accumulative installations are
+886-4-7232105/7260. Fax: +886-4-7211287. expected to reach 65 GW by 2015, with a production
5300 Afr. J. Bus. Manage.
value of over $100 billion. In 2010, accumulative wind satisfaction, it is necessary to enable members to
installations totaled approximately 120 GW, with a integrate the values of the organization with their own via
produc-tion value of approximately US$58.8 billion. This interactions at the workplace. This paper suggests that
number is expected to reach 600 GW by 2015, with a management in the green energy industry should be
production value exceeding US$200 billion. The aware that they must first understand the work values of
production value of the LED illumination industry was their employees in order to enhance their dedication and
about US$4.2 billion in 2010 and is expected to reach commitment to the organization. The second research
US$40 billion by 2015. motivation of this study was to investigate the work
Lacking natural resources, Taiwan relies on imported values of employees that can enhance job involvement,
energies for almost all of its needs. However, Taiwan is organizational commitment and job performance in the
known for excellent technology R&D and manufacturing green energy industry.
capabilities. If Taiwan can leverage its window of oppor- The quality of an organization largely depends on its
tunity when global technologies and industries reshuffle, leadership (Kao, 2006). In fact, leadership is an important
it will be possible for Taiwan to become a leader in the issue throughout all kinds of community activities and
energy industry during the next decade. Taiwan has to group interactions, as it constantly affects behavior and
repeat its success by transforming itself from an OEM interdependency relationships (Wu, 2004). This is why
manufacturing hub to ODM, and become an innovative leaders are important in any given organization. Wang
centre of production. This can bring Taiwanese society (2005) argued that management is increasingly essential
into an era of low carbon and high value added products. to the green energy industry due to its rapid growth.
Dr. Hsin-sen Chu, Executive Vice President of the Leadership styles also have profound effects on
Industrial Technology Research Institute, suggested that organizational performance. Leadership behavior can
the production value of the green energy industry in reinforce the roles of employees and affect the perfor-
Taiwan would exceed NT$350 billion in 2008, with the mance of organizational behavior (Huang, 2004; Tracey
total number of employees surpassing 18,000. Em- and Hinkin, 1994). Meanwhile, the vision and conviction
ployees play a pivotal role in the competitive environment of a leader can influence the thoughts and values of
of the green energy industry, because they have to employees, and hence, create solidarity within the
confront various challenges and establish loyal customer organization (Yang et al., 2005). In sum, leadership styles
relationships (Karatepe and Sokmen, 2006). They also have an effect on the work attitude and behavior of em-
have to provide high quality services and improve ployees. The third research motivation was to investigate
organizational performance (Tsai, 2008). Only with the if leadership styles can enhance the work involvement
dedication of its employees can a company survive and and organizational commitment of employees.
thrive (Dai et al., 2007). Therefore, employees are the This study hoped to make contributions to theoretic
most important assets of the green energy industry concepts and provide analysis results about green
(Karatepe et al., 2006). The author of this research hoped energy as a reference for the recruitment and manage-
its findings could prompt management teams in the green ment of employees. Therefore, this research set out to
energy industry to pay more attention to human resource explore: (1) the correlation between the work values and
management, as this will benefit the development of the work attitude of employees; (2) the correlation between
industry. This was the first research motivation. the work attitude and job performance of employees; (3)
In a service-oriented business environment, the the correlation between the work values and job
professionalism and work attitude of employees has an performance of employees; (4) whether work attitude has
influence on how customers evaluate service quality, and a mediating effect on work values and job performance;
it can make or break the image of an organization and (5) whether the intervention of leadership styles
(Huang, 2004). Work values dictate work behavior, set affects the relationship between work values and work
the goals for individuals, and calibrate choices over work attitude.
hours (Chung et al., 2008). In the green energy industry,
employee values are critical because they can affect the
assessment of green energy products by the customers. LITERATURE REVIEW
Huang (2005) suggested that in a service-oriented
organization and work environment, the alignment of the Chung et al. (2008) suggested that work values are a set
members' work values and attitude with an organization of durable beliefs in work. They reflect personal needs,
can better internalize those values and generate a higher job types or the environmental preferences of individuals.
emotional commitment to the organization. Meanwhile, They also guide the work behavior of individuals and can
the alignment of the values of individuals and the values dictate their goals and job choices. Work values have an
of the organization can help individuals identify with the influence on hiring and retention rates and can affect the
organization. It encourages dedication to the organization willingness of individuals to work diligently (Boyatzis and
and organizational behavior (Dutton et al., 1994). Skelly, 1991). Chiu (2002) suggested that most
Therefore, to improve organizational commitment and job individuals consider whether the image and values of an
Liao et al. 5301
organization match their own in their job selections. If can enhance employee morale, achieve its operational
they match, it is an enhancer to the development of the performance and formulate strategies in reconstruction
individual and the organization; If not, it becomes an and reformation (Dresang, 2002). Job performance is an
obstacle. It is imperative for companies to gain a deep indication of the work attitude of employees. It is
understanding of the work values of their employees and necessary to provide timely incentives to employees in
ensure that the ownership of desirable work values is order to enhance their loyalty to the organization (Li and
factored into the recruitment process (Chung et al., Chou, 2003). Therefore, the assessment and application
2008). of performance reviews is one of the top priorities for
Most of the papers dealing with the issues associated high-performing organizations (Tsai, 2007).
with work attitude in the context of organizational beha- Leadership is critical to any given organization. It
vior have investigated work involvement, job satisfaction enables the internal maintenance and external adaption
and organizational commitment (Robbins, 2001). of an organization and guides members toward the goals
However, this research considered work attitude to be a of the organization (Sun et al., 2003). Chen (2009)
set of attitude and thoughts toward work, and such proposed that leadership is the application of various
attitudes and thoughts are reflected in the form of work behaviors and methods, leading members to achieve
involvement and organizational commitment. Therefore, it shared goals. Throughout this process, leaders interact
examined work involvement and organizational commit- with members and influence each other, in order to
ment in terms of work attitude. Diefendorff et al. (2002) accomplish tasks and achieve goals. Liao (2007)
indicated that work involvement is an indication of the suggested that effective and efficient leadership can
level of job identification, emphasis and concern that make or break an organization. Leadership is critical to
employees have toward their jobs. Employees work hard any given corporation, as leadership behavior affects how
because they expect rewards. Rewards can include employees work and the level of their performance. After
monetary benefits such as salary raises and promotions, reviewing recent literature on leadership, Judge et al.
as well as psychological satisfaction, such as feeling (2004) indicated that the supportive leadership and
valuable, making contributions to the organization and directive leadership defined by the research team at Ohio
expressing their talents (Huang and Huang, 1997). A high University has a lingering legacy that deeply affects
degree of work involvement means a high degree of self- current studies on leadership. Therefore, this research
growth, satisfaction and job performance in employees. designed its measurement with two dimensions,
As a result, the organization becomes more competitive supportive leadership and directive leadership, as the
(Liao and Wu, 2003). Mulki et al. (2008) argued that tools to evaluate leadership styles.
organizational commitment is a psychological solidarity This research divided its literature reviews and
that gives employees a sense of belonging. It creates hypothesis developments into five sections as follows:
employees that are loyal to the organization and encou-
rages them to maximize their efforts to the organization. It
is manifested in the form of positive internalized concern Correlation between work values and work attitude
and externalized behavior to the organization (Chen,
2007). By understanding the organizational commitment Chuang and Li (2002) examined interior designers, and
of employees, an organization can identify ways to retain suggested that there is a positive correlation between
employees and enhance their performance (Lin, 2006). work values and work attitude. The more emphasis
Employees who are highly committed to an organization management places on work values, the better the work
identify with the goals and values of the organization, and attitude. Chen and Lu (2000) indicated that the better the
devote to and feel loyal toward the organization (Chen work values of employees are aligned, the stronger their
and Chen, 2006). organizational commitment and work involvement will be.
Job performance is the benchmark for promotions, Huang and Huang (2004) surveyed hotel management
redundancy, rewards, punishments, reviews and salary students who are doing internships, and found that all of
adjustments. It also satisfies the needs for employees to the factors related to work values have a significant
realize themselves. Therefore, job performance is one of influence on work involvement. Wang et al. (2008)
the most important research variables in organizational examined employees in the marketing departments of
behavior (Chung et al., 2007). Lin et al. (2008) suggested companies in the green energy industry, and found that
that job performance refers to all of the actions taken by work values have a positive, direct and significant
employees in order to make contributions to the organiza- influence on organizational commitment. Therefore, this
tional goals. These actions can be measured and study inferred that the values of employees in the green
assessed. The evaluation and application of performance energy industry affect their work attitude. The following
reviews are the foundation for managers in allocating hypotheses were developed:
manpower, designing training programs, promotions and
development. They are also critical to whether an organi- H1: There is a positive correlation between the work
zation can be fair in giving out rewards and punishments, values and work attitude of employees in the green
5302 Afr. J. Bus. Manage.
H5 H3
H4
Leadership style
1. Supportive
2. Directive
values, and inferred that leadership affects the work on the work values and organizational commitment of
values of employees. Tsai (2007) suggested that employees in the green energy industry. Highly directive
supportive leadership has a mediating effect on the leadership enhances work values and organizational
relationship between interactive justice and organiza- commitment. Weakly directive leadership undermines
tional commitment. Under strongly supportive leadership, work values and organizational commitment.
there is a positive correlation between interactive justice
and organizational commitment. In contrast, under
weakly supportive leadership, there is no correlation RESEARCH METHODS
between interactive justice and organizational commit-
Research structure
ment. In other words, supportive leadership can reinforce
the work drive and sense of interactive justice among This study referred to work values as the predictive variable, work
employees, enhance their commitment to the company, attitude (i.e. work involvement and organization commitment) as the
and encourage them to demonstrate organizational mediating variable and job performance as the result variable, in
behavior. Hence, this study inferred that leadership styles order to explore whether there was any significant correlation
have a mediating effect on the work values and work among these three factors. Leadership styles were defined as the
moderating variable, in order to explore whether leadership effects
attitude of employees. The following hypotheses were have a moderating effect on work values and work attitude. Figure
developed: 1 illustrates the research structure.
Standard
Variable Mean 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
deviation
Work values 4.731 0.57 (0.926)
Work attitude 3.892 0.58 0.812*** (0.928)
Work involvement 4.136 0.738 0.62*** 0.82*** (0.820)
Organizational commitment 4.623 0.68 0.796*** 0.96*** 0.63*** (0.948)
Job performance 4.453 0.56 0.05 0.28* 0.11 0.15* (0.948)
Supportive leadership 4.843 0.86 0.49*** 0.42*** 0.33*** 0.47*** -0.03 (0.920)
Directive leadership 4.841 0.67 0.61*** 0.46*** 0.34*** 0.52*** -0.04 0.80*** (0.790)
(1) n = 485; two-tailed test. (2) * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0001. (3) Reliability is shown in brackets.
from the respondents, this study asked for the consent of the statistical significance (p <.001). The tests on discrimination validity
companies willing to take part in the survey and explained the suggested that the questionnaire was fit for factor analysis. The
research goals to the management teams of those companies. The results also suggested that the factor loadings of the dimensions
questionnaires were delivered either in person or via post to the were all larger than 0.68, in line with the sample classifications of
willing companies, and the survey was performed with assistance the original questionnaire and the expected results. Therefore, it
from the managers. The completed questionnaires were sent back was inferred that all of the dimensions had discrimination validity.
to the researcher. The survey was performed on 48 companies in The questionnaire is listed in Appendix.
the green energy industry in northern, central, southern and eastern
Taiwan. A total of 650 questionnaires were released to employees
and 120 were released to managers. After the elimination of ANALYSIS RESULTS
incomplete questionnaires or unqualified questionnaires, a total of
485 effective questionnaires from the employees and 92 effective
Descriptive analyses of samples
questionnaires from the managers were collected.
Standard
Variable Mean 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
deviation
Work values 4.731 0.57 (0.926)
Work attitude 3.892 0.58 0.812*** (0.928)
Work involvement 4.136 0.738 0.62*** 0.82*** (0.820)
Organizational commitment 4.623 0.68 0.796*** 0.96*** 0.63*** (0.948)
Job performance 4.453 0.56 0.05 0.28* 0.11 0.15* (0.948)
Supportive leadership 4.843 0.86 0.49*** 0.42*** 0.33*** 0.47*** -0.03 (0.920)
Directive leadership 4.841 0.67 0.61*** 0.46*** 0.34*** 0.52*** -0.04 0.80*** (0.790)
(1) n = 485; two-tailed test. (2) * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0001. (3) Reliability is shown in brackets.
positive, their work involvement and organizational covered the indirect effects among the three variables
commitment would be higher. Work attitude and job and validated whether work attitude had a mediating
performance were significantly and positively corrected (γ effect on work values and job performance. Discussions
= 0.28, p < 0.05). Work involvement and job performance and clarifications were then made based on the empirical
were positively but not significantly corrected (γ = 0.11, p results.
< 0.05). In contrast, organizational commitment and job
performance were positively and significantly correlated
(γ = 0.15, p < 0.05). When the organizational commitment Model fit tests
of employees in the green energy industry was stronger,
their job performance perceived by managers would be All of the following test values fell within the acceptable
better. Work values and job performance were positively range. This indicated a good model fit. Table 2
but not significantly correlated (γ = 0.05, p > 0.05). summarizes the overall model fit.
This study analyzed the relationship between
moderating variables and other variables. The results
showed that work values and leadership styles were Effects of work values on work attitude and job
significantly and positively correlated (γ = 0.56, p < performance
0.001). Work values and supportive leadership were also
positively and significantly correlated (γ = 0.49, p < According to Figures 2 and 3, the path coefficient of work
0.001), which was the same with work values and values and work attitude was statistically significant (γ =
directive leadership (γ = 0.61, p < 0.001). In terms of 0.849, p < 0.001). This showed that the work values and
work attitude, there was a positive and significant work attitude of employees in the green energy industry
correlation between work involvement and directive were positively and significantly correlated. When there
leadership (γ = 0.33, p < 0.001). Work involvement and were more emphasis placed on work values, the work
directive leadership reported a positive and significant attitude would be better. Therefore, H1 was supported
correlation (γ = 0.34, p < 0.001). Organizational with the empirical data. Meanwhile, the path coefficient of
commitment was significantly and positively correlated work values, work involvement and organizational
with supportive leadership (γ = 0.47, p < 0.001) and with commitment was also statistically significant (γ = 0.683, p
directive leadership (γ = 0.52, p < 0.001). Job < 0.001).
performance was negatively correlated with supportive The work values, work involvement and organizational
leadership (γ = -0.03, p < 0.05), as well as with directive commitment of employees in the green energy industry
leadership (γ = -0.04, p < 0.001). were positively and significantly correlated. With greater
focus placed on work values, the work involvement and
organizational commitment would be better. Hence, H1-1
Model establishment and validation and H1-2 were supported with the empirical data. The
path coefficient of work values and job performance was
This research established a structural equation model not statistically significant (γ = 0.378, p < 0.001). This
(SEM) of work values, work attitude and job performance suggested that the work attitude and job performance of
using Amos, a statistics and graphics software package. employees in the green energy industry were positively
The validation consisted of two stages. In the first stage, but not significantly correlated. Therefore, H2 was not
the overall fit of the model was tested. If it was within a supported with the empirical data. Meanwhile, the path
reasonable range, the second stage would start with tests coefficients of work involvement, organizational
on the causal relationship between the variables. This commitment and job performance were not statistically
5306 Afr. J. Bus. Manage.
e1 e2
0.06 0.22
0.51 0.44
Job performance
0.85
0.08 Context e5
0.92
Work attitude 0.38 0.39 performance
e6 0.11
e3
0.85 1.00
0.39 0.12
e7 e8
Figure 2. Causal relationship path of work values, work attitude and job performance.
significant (γ = 0.038, p > 0.05; γ = 0.081, p > 0.05). This industry were negatively but not significantly correlated.
indicated that the work involvement, organizational Therefore, H3 was not supported with the empirical data.
commitment and job performance of employees in the
green energy industry were positively but not significantly
correlated. Hence, neither H2-1 nor H2-2 was supported Moderating effects of work attitude on work values
with the empirical data. The path coefficient of work and job performance
values and performance was not statistically significant (γ
= -0.247, p > 0.05). This implied that the work attitude As seen in the above model, there was a negative but
and job performance of employees in the green energy insignificant correlation between work values and job
Liao et al. 5307
0.68 0.89
0.52 0.269
e1 e2
0.04 0.08
Job performance
0.41
e3
Table 3. Moderating effects of work attitude on work values and job performance.
performance. This research intended to explore whether According to Table 3, the direct effects of work values
the effects of work attitude would change the influence of and job performance were -0.253. The indirect effects of
work values on job performance. According to Jung’s these two variables via work attitude became 0.343 (a
(2008) definition of moderating effects, moderating value of 0.88, the direct effect of work values on work
variables do not work when the direct effects are greater attitude, multiplied with the value of 0.39, the direct
than the indirect effects, hence, the moderating variables effects of work attitude on job performance). The indirect
can be ignored. However, if the indirect effects are effects were greater than the direct effects, and hence,
greater than the direct effects, the moderating variables this proved the existence of moderating effects.
do have an influence. The moderating effects are a Therefore, H4 was supported with the empirical data.
product of the direct effects of the independent variables The direct effects of work values on job performance
on the moderating variables, multiplied with the direct were -0.01. The introduction of work involvement caused
effects of the moderating variables on the dependent the indirect effects to become 0.26 (the direct effects of
variables. work values on work involvement, 0.66, multiplied with
5308 Afr. J. Bus. Manage.
Table 4. Regression analysis of the effects of supportive leadership on work values and work involvement.
the direct effects of work involvement on job did not have a moderating effect on work values and
performance, 0.04). The indirect effects were greater work involvement. Hence, H5-1 was not supported with the
than the direct effects, and hence, this proved the empirical data.
existence of moderating effects. Therefore, H4-1 was
supported with the empirical data. The direct effects of Moderating effects of supportive leadership on work
work values on job performance were -0.02. values and organizational commitment: According to
The introduction of organizational commitment caused Table 5, when regression models M2 and M3
the indirect effects to become .082 (the direct effects of incorporated the function of work values multiplied by
work values on organizational commitment, 0.91, supportive leadership, R2 became 0.430, and the delta in
2
multiplied with the direct effects of organizational R was 0.011. The coefficient of work values multiplied by
commitment on job performance, 0.09). The indirect supportive leadership was statistically significant (β =
effects were greater than the direct effects, and hence, 0.794, p < 0.001). This showed that supportive leadership
this proved the existence of moderating effects. had a moderating effect on work values and
Therefore, H4-2 was supported with the empirical data. organizational commitment. Figure 4 illustrates the
correlation between work values and work involvement
under strong and weak supportive directive leadership in
Moderating effect of leadership styles on work values the context of moderating effects.
and work attitude Figure 4 illustrates the relationship of the interaction
between work values and supportive leadership on
Hierarchical regression was performed to examine the organizational commitment. Under a strong supportive
moderating effects of leadership styles on work values leadership, the greater the emphasis placed on work
and work attitude. The symbol M1 denotes regression values, the higher the organizational commitment of
model 1, with the addition of the control variables in the employees. In contrast, under a weak supportive
first level. Similarly, the symbols M1 and M2 denote leadership, there was no significant correlation between
regression models 2 and 3, with the addition of the key work values and organizational commitment. In other
effects and moderating effects. The results are shown in words, the individual slopes of the two lines suggested
Tables 4 to 7. that work values had stronger predictive power under a
strong supportive leadership, but not quite so under a
Moderating effects of supportive leadership on work weak supportive leadership. Hence, H5-2 was supported
values and work involvement: According to Table 4, with the empirical data.
when regression models M2 and M3 incorporated the
function of work values multiplied by supportive Moderating effects of directive leadership on work
2 2
leadership, R became 0.223, and the delta in R was values and work involvement: According to Table 6,
0.009. The coefficient of work values multiplied by when regression models M2 and M3 incorporated the
supportive leadership was not statistically significant (β = function of work values multiplied by directive leadership,
2 2
0.736, p > 0.05). This showed that supportive leadership R became 0.237, and the delta in R was 0.028. The
Liao et al. 5309
Table 5. Regression analysis of the effects of supportive leadership on work values and organizational commitment.
27.08 ▲
29 Strong supportive leadership
Organizational commitment
▲
25 ▲
21 Weak supportive leadership
▲
18
14 ▲ 5.34
11
7 2.46 ▲ 0.55
4
▲
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
Work value
Figure 4. The moderating effects of supportive leadership on work values and organizational commitment.
coefficient of work values multiplied by directive the work involvement of employees. In contrast, under a
leadership was statistically significant (β =0.736, p < weak directive leadership, there was no significant
0.001). This showed that directive leadership had a correlation between work values and work involvement.
moderating effect on work values and work involvement. In other words, the individual slopes of the two lines
Figure 5 illustrates the relationship of the interaction suggested that work values had a stronger predictive
between work values and organizational commitment power under a strong directive leadership, but not quite
under a strong supportive leadership and a weak so under a weak directive leadership. Hence, H5-3 was
supportive leadership. supported with the empirical data.
Figure 5 illustrates the relationship of the interaction
between work values and directive leadership on work Moderating effects of directive leadership on work
involvement. Under a strong directive leadership, the values and organizational commitment: According to
greater the emphasis placed on work values, the higher Table 7, when regression models M2 and M3
5310 Afr. J. Bus. Manage.
Table 6. Regression analysis of the effects of directive leadership on work values and work involvement.
29
Work involvement
25
▲ Strong directive leadership
21
18 25.60 ▲
14 ▲ Weak directive leadership
11 ▲ 4.12
7 ▲
4 1.83 ▲ 0.28
0 ▲
1 2 3 4 5 6
Work value
Figure 5. The moderating effects of directive leadership on work values and work involvement.
incorporated the function of work values multiplied by employees. In contrast, under a weak directive
2
directive leadership, R became 0.446, and the delta in leadership, there was no significant correlation between
2
R was 0.036. The coefficient of work values multiplied by work values and work involvement. In other words, the
directive leadership was statistically significant (β = individual slopes of the two lines suggested that work
0.723, p < 0.001). This showed that directive leadership values had a stronger predictive power under a strong
had a moderating effect on work values and directive leadership, but not quite so under a weak
organizational commitment. Figure 5 illustrates the directive leadership. Hence, H5-4 was supported with the
relationship between work values and organizational empirical data.
commitment under a strong supportive leadership and a
weak supportive leadership.
Figure 6 shows the influence of the interactions Conclusions
between work values and directive leadership on Work values
organizational commitment. Under a strong directive
leadership, the greater the emphasis placed on work The empirical results showed that there was a positive
values, the higher the organizational commitment of correlation between the work values and work attitude of
Liao et al. 5311
Table 7. Regression analysis of the effects of directive leadership on work values and organizational commitment.
25 ▲
Weak directive leadership
21
▲
18
▲ 4.76
14
11
2.75 ▲ 0.58
7
4 ▲
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
Work values
Figure 6. The moderating effects of directive leadership on work values and organizational commitment.
employees in the green energy industry. When greater values of employees, a company can improve
emphasis was placed on work values, the work attitude employees’ work performance and encourage work
would be better, which was consistent with Chen and Lu involvement. Therefore, it is necessary to select
(2000), who suggested that as more employees identify employees whose work values are similar with the
with work values, their organizational commitment and company or who can identify with the values of the
work involvement will be higher. An interview with a company, in order to ensure that the employees will be
manager in Company S indicated that only those who committed to the company and be willing to make an
shared the same work values could form a team. In other effort.
words, people with the same work values share similar
attitudes and behavior, and it is easier for them to
communicate. This finding was consistent with the Direct effects of work attitude on job performance
literature. In terms of management implications, when
employees were positive about their work, they became The empirical results showed that there was a positive
more dedicated to their work. By understanding the work but not significant correlation between the work attitude of
5312 Afr. J. Bus. Manage.
0.45 0.33
0.25
Work purposes Work means
0.24 0.46
Self-assessed performance
0.17
ρ1
Figure 7. SEM Model: Causal relationship path between work values and
job performance.
employees and the job performance assessed by work means to self-assessed job performance were
managers in the green energy industry. This indicated statistically significant (γ = 0.241, p < 0.001; γ = 0.456, p
that work attitude cannot predicate job performance. The < 0.001). As employees placed more emphasis on work
effects of work involvement and organizational purposes and means, their self-assessed job
commitment on job performance were also not performance would be higher. However, this fell below
significant, which was inconsistent with the majority of the the expectations of the managers and created a negative
literature. Most of the past studies have measured job correlation between the work values of employees and
performance using self-assessments and have analyzed the job performance assessed by managers.
data using regression. However, this research evaluated
job performance based on reviews by managers, and
analyzed the data using structural equation models. Mediating effects of work attitude on work values and
Although this approach could not prove the hypothesis, it job performance
may be a more robust approach than the past studies,
and it may be one of the factors contributing to the results The empirical results showed that the work attitude of
that were inconsistent with the existing literature. The employees in the green energy industry had a mediating
interview with Manager C at a solar company suggested effect on their work values and their job performance, as
that work involvement did not equate to job performance, assessed by managers. In other words, work values and
as doing something right and doing the right thing are not job performance (evaluated by managers) were not
identical. If the direction is wrong, it is not possible to directly related, but were only correlated via work attitude.
achieve good performance, no matter how much effort is Meanwhile, work values were positively correlated with
put into it. job performance (assessed by mangers) via work
involvement and organizational commitment, showing
that they had a stronger influence on job performance.
Direct effects of work values on job performance Wang and Kao (2009) examined the relationship among
work values, organizational commitment and job
The empirical results suggested that there was a performance. Their research found that organizational
negative but insignificant correlation between the work commitment had a positive moderating effect between
values of employees and job performance (reviewed by work values and job performance. An interview with HR
managers) in the green energy industry. This conclusion Manager W in an LED lighting company suggested that
was inconsistent with most literature. Meanwhile, this work values were the beliefs that an individual had. They
research performed a path analysis on work purposes affected the individual’s attitude, and the attitude affects
and work means under work values and self-assessed outcomes. If employees could fully support the
job performance. The results, as shown in Figure 7, organization, this could be beneficial for the organization
showed that the path coefficients of work purposes and to achieve its targets, which was consistent with existing
Liao et al. 5313
find out whether there are any differences in their work leadership and directive leadership could enhance the
values. positive effects of work values on work involvement and
organizational commitment. The interviews with industry
executives found that the adoption of both styles yielded
Further investigation into different dimensions of better results. In other words, timely and appropriate care
work values as well as pressure to employees can enhance their work
involvement and organizational commitment.
In this paper, work values were divided into work
purposes and work means. However, other scholars have
proposed different dimensions. Future studies may delve ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
into different work value dimensions and explore the
correlation between work values, work attitude and job The project was funded by National Science Council
performance, thus establishing a deeper understanding under the Grants No. NSC 100-2511-S-018 -004 -.
of the work tendency of employees in the green energy
industry.
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