Levels of Analysis and Effects: Clarifying Group Influence and Climate by Separating Individual and Group Effects

Authors

Paul Florin, University of Rhode Island
Gary A. Giamartino, Saint Joseph's University, United States
David A. Kenny, University of Connecticut
Abraham Wandersman, University of South Carolina

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1990

Abstract

This article addresses conceptual and methodological levels of analysis issues in research on work group and organizational settings. Using organizational climate data, it provides a detailed example of the use of a recent data analysis model (Kenny & La Voie, 1985) which separates individual and group effects. The reanalysis of an earlier study of organizational climate influences on three dependent variables (Giamartino & Wandersman, 1983) revealed that several important relationships between climate dimensions and the dependent variables were masked in the earlier study. Implications for potential misinterpretations within existing group and organizational research are drawn and suggestions for addressing theoretical and measurement problems involving climate research are offered. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Applied Social Psychology

Volume

20

Issue

11

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Florin, Paul, Gary A. Giamartino, David A. Kenny, and Abraham Wandersman. "Levels of Analysis and Effects: Clarifying Group Influence and Climate by Separating Individual and Group Effects." Journal of Applied Social Psychology 20, 11 (1990): 881-900. doi: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1990.tb01466.x.