Ordering Organizational Phenomena: An Investigation of Interrelationships Among Perceptions in Cross-Sectional Research.

The research reported here investigated relationships among a wide variety of perceptions held by members of organizations. Specifically, the cross-sectional research investigated relationships among perceptions that members hold concerning themselves in a superior role, the behavior of their superior, the climate of the organizations, and the nature of people in general. In order to test the pervasiveness of the associate relationships, data were analyzed for three diverse organizations, a manufacturing company, a savings and loan, and the U.S. Army. The results suggest some support for the idea of a phenomenal field or halo effect that influences the perceptions of organizational participants about a wide range of organizationally-salient variables. That data also appear to be consonant with indications from attribution theory that participants may attribute a set of related characteristics across individuals, groups and the organization.