Construct Validity of Measures of Becker's Side Bet Theory
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2000
Abstract
A 32-item measure of Becker's original side bet theory of organizational commitment was developed and evaluated for construct validity. Three hundred twenty-seven working MBA students completed surveys. Performance and organizational citizenship behavior was provided by 99 managers. Results revealed five distinct factors, three of which closely reflected Becker's side bet categories of impersonal bureaucratic arrangements, individual adjustment to social positions, and nonwork concerns. After accounting for affective, normative, and continuance commitment, the individual adjustment to social positions side bet scale was related to both altruism and compliance forms of citizenship behavior, though only the organizational responsibility side bet was associated with intention to leave and none of the side bet scales were significantly associated with job performance.