Abstract

An analysis of covariance structure was conducted to propose a theoretical causal model of explaining job performance and compare its fit with those of other alternative models. A theoretical model was obtained by the results of regression analyses of Hahn, Hahn, Kim, & Sung(1989)'s study. It was hypothesized that job performance caused by motivation and ability, that motivation caused by organizational commitment, morale, satisfaction of cognitive need, and leader's understanding of subordinates, and that ability caused by satisfaction of cognitive need. Motivation and ability were hypothesized to be in a reciprocal relation. Based on the results of LISREL analysis of this model, four alternative models were developed and compared. Data were obtained from 462 blue collar wokers in an electronic company. The total sample was divided into two samples for cross-validation. The results obtained from the sample 1 showed that model 4 appears to be a better model in terms of parsimony. This model hypothesized that job performance caused by motivation and ability, that motivation caused by organizational commitment and morale, and that ability caused by motivation. The above results were found to be cross-validation sample. Finally, future study is discussed.