Dispositional correlates of perceived work entitlement

Abstract

Purpose – Drawing on an equity theory framework, the purpose of this paper is to examine the degree to which dispositional correlates – Machiavellianism and Protestant work ethic (PWE) – predict perceived work entitlement in employed persons. Design/methodology/approach – In two independent samples (n=270 and n=214), currently employed participants completed self-report surveys. Multiple regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess common method variance and provide evidence of construct validity. Findings – In Study 1, a general measure of Machiavellianism was positively related to perceived work entitlement, but PWE was not significantly related to the criterion. In Study 2, three sub-scales of Machiavellianism, as well as a different measure of the PWE, were positively related to perceived work entitlement. However, the fourth sub-scale of Machiavellianism was negatively related and therefore in the opposite direction of that which was hypothesized. Research limitations/implications – The primary limitations of the research are the cross-sectional research design and minor risk of common method bias. However, numerous a priori and post hoc procedures were incorporated in an attempt to minimize this risk. Practical implications – Managers need to understand how certain dispositional factors influence the degree to which employees perceive that they are entitled to rewards that at times are inconsistent with their contribution to the organization. Social implications – As the workforce ages and older employees are replaced, understanding the dispositional influences on perceived work entitlement helps explain why some, often times younger, workers feel more entitled to organizational rewards than do others. Originality/value – This paper is one of the first to examine relevant dispositional correlates of perceived work entitlement, which is a construct developed from equity theory.