Personality and organizational health: the role of conscientiousness

Organizational health research identifies processes through which the work environment and individual differences combine to influence both individual and organizational outcomes. This study investigated the contribution of c onscientiousness to organizational health. Research in the areas of occupat ional stress, work performance, and organizational climate was used to deve lop a framework for integrating different elements of organizational health . Within this framework, the work environment was assessed by perceptions o f workload and role clarity; individual well-being was assessed by psycholo gical distress and job satisfaction; and behaviour important for organizati onal success was assessed by contextual performance. Conscientiousness was investigated within the framework using self-reports from a sample of 104 A ustralian employees. Conscientiousness directly influenced contextual perfo rmance but did not influence well-being or perceptions of the work environm ent. Conscientiousness also reduced the impact of role clarity on both psyc hological distress and job satisfaction. The role of conscientiousness in a comprehensive model of organizational health is discussed.