Evaluation of research on expectancy theory predictions of employee performance.

Summarizes formulations of expectancy theory proposed by L. W. Porter and E. E. Lawler in 1968 and by V. H. Vroom in 1964. 9 field studies testing expectancy theory hypotheses using various measures of employee performance as the dependent variable are reviewed. Finally, the studies are evaluated in terms of the number of independent variables used, the measurement of these variables, and the statistical analysis performed. It is shown that the research has generally been inadequate in all 3 respects. Generally, results also show that valence, instrumentality, and role perceptions are significantly related to performance, while ability is not. Suggestions for improvement in expectancy theory research are made. (40 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)