The Conditional Indirect Effect Model of Women's Union Participation: The Moderating Effect of Perceived Union Tolerance for Sexual Harassment

ABSTRACT

We tested a theoretically trimmed model of union participation presented by Tetrick, Shore, McClurg, and Vandenberg (2007), in which perceived union instrumentality is expected to influence participation through perceived union support. This testing was accomplished as a precursor to testing a conditional indirect effect model of women's participation—in which perceived union tolerance for sexual harassment was expected to moderate the influence of perceived support on willingness to participate in union activities. In a sample of 326 women from multiple unions, we found support for the conditional model; the influence of perceived instrumentality on willingness to participate through perceived support was moderated by perceived tolerance for harassment; specifically, the influence through perceived support was weak when perceived tolerance was high. The implications of our results are discussed in reference to need support and women's participation.

Keywords:

• labor unions
• union instrumentality
• union participation
• perceived union support
• perceived union tolerance for sexual harassment

Notes

1. Further details regarding hypothesized and non-hypothesized model results are available from Steven Mellor.