Organic structure, satisfaction and personality

Abstract

<p>This paper takes the position that an important outcome of organizational activity is the satisfaction enjoyed by its members. It reports a field study of the relationships between a group structural concept (organicity), the higher-order need satisfactions of group members and individual differences in personality traits. Individual satisfaction tends to rise with increasing organicity. The task variable, "innovativeness", which is a close correlate of organicity, does not enter appreciably into this relationship. The responses of individuals to relatively organic and mechanistic group structures are mediated by personality trait-type and trait-strength. Organic group structure is viewed as a potential "motivator" of people with strong assertive needs</p>