Dispositions and work reactions: A multilevel approach

Multiple levels of analysis were used to examine the link between stable di spositions and more state-oriented work reactions such as job satisfaction, Participant,, in the study were employees from a large state education sys tem and an urban hospital. The proportion of between-group variance in posi tive work affect, negative work affect. and job satisfaction increased afte r dispositional measures of neuroticism and extraversion were included, alt hough the confidence internals overlapped. Aggregate perceptions of excessi ve job demands explained more between-group variance in work reactions afte r dispositions were included. Precious research conducted at a single level of analysis suggests that the inclusion of stable dispositions can attenua te the link between work characteristics and work reactions, The present st udy suggests the opposite pattern when group-level variance is considered.