A TEST OF THE IMPORTATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT MODELS: THE EFFECTS OF WORK ETHIC, IMPORTANCE OF MONEY, AND MANAGEMENT VIEWS ON THE JOB SATISFACTION AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT OF CORRECTIONAL STAFF

ABSTRACT

There are two fundamental models used to explain the attitudes and behaviors of correctional staff. The first is the Importation Model, which holds that work attitudes are primarily shaped by factors that employees bring with them to the workplace, and the second is the Work Environment Model, which holds that employee work attitudes are primarily shaped by dimensions of the work environment. Most of the correctional staff literature on job satisfaction and organizational commitment has supported the Work Environment Model but not the Importation Model; however, most of the research on the Importation Model has focused on demographic characteristics, which tend to be weak measures of imported factors. This study examined the impact of work ethic and importance of money as importation factors, and trust in management, participation in management, and support by management as work environment factors, on the job satisfaction and organizational commitment among staff at a private Midwestern correctional organization. The findings provide support for both models. Specifically, work ethic and trust in management had statistically significant effects on job satisfaction, while work ethic, trust in management, and participation in management had significant effects on organizational commitment.