AN EXPLORATORY INVESTIGATION INTO THEORETICAL MECHANISMS UNDERLYING REALISTIC JOB PREVIEWS

This research explored complex theories about why realistic job previe ws (RJPs) deter turnover. After designing an RJP booklet about nursing work, we delivered this RJP to 82 newly hired nurses during orientati on, while presenting a traditional recruitment brochure to 76 other nu rses. Nurses also completed surveys on two occasions, assessing proces ses commonly thought to translate RJP influence: met expectations; com mitment; perceived employer caring; coping efficacy; and value orienta tion. The RJP lowered voluntary quits: 8.5% of nurses given previews q uit versus 17.8% of control nurses (p less than or equal to .10). Usin g structural equation methodology (SEM), we compared two integrative f ormulations portraying different structural networks among mechanisms behind RJP influence. Observed data appeared more consistent with an i nterdependent than independent mediating process model. In particular, these data suggest that met expectations have direct and indirect eff ects through other mediators (e.g., organizational concern and coping) on turnover precursors-namely, job satisfaction and organizational co mmitment.