This Is Not My Job: Understanding Antecedents and Outcomes of Illegitimate Task
Doctoral thesis
Published version
Date
2024Metadata
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- Series of Dissertations [101]
Abstract
Illegitimate tasks, defined as tasks perceived as either unreasonable or unnecessary (Semmer et al., 2010), violate what can be reasonably expected from employees’ current job roles. In the first article of the thesis, we aim to present a systematic narrative review of the literature, summarizing research regarding illegitimate tasks’ antecedents, outcomes, moderators, and mediators. This can clarify the nomological networks of illegitimate tasks. Finally, we offer future directions for research to solve unanswered important questions in this field. In the second article of the thesis, I aim to adopt an energy-based approach (i.e., depletion) to explain the link between illegitimate tasks and counterproductive work behavior (CWB). I utilize the self-determination theory (SDT) to build the theoretical connection between illegitimate tasks and depletion. The research objective is to investigate the depletion effect of illegitimate tasks through an experience sampling (ESM) study and a recall-based experiment. These endeavors not only validate the external applicability of SDT in elucidating the energy-related outcomes of illegitimate tasks but also contribute to our comprehension of the multidimensional consequences of engaging in such tasks. Finally, in the third article, we aim to enhance our understanding of the antecedents of unreasonable tasks by systematically investigating how various characteristics of employees influence supervisors’ assignments of such tasks. We intend to enrich our understanding of employees’ certain characteristics that might incur unreasonable task assignments, thereby addressing the imperative to explore the antecedents of this illegitimate stressor (Ding & Kuvaas, 2023). The intended combined contribution is to comprehensively enhance our understanding of the antecedents and outcomes of illegitimate tasks. Specifically, in the first literature review article, we summarize knowledge on illegitimate tasks and propose future research directions. In the second article, I investigate the illegitimate tasks’ depletion effect in ESM study and experimental study, supporting an energy-based mechanism to explain the link between illegitimate tasks and CWB over and beyond traditional emotional and cognitive mechanisms. In the third article, we aim to find certain characteristics of employees that might serve as triggers for unreasonable task assignments in a conjoint experiment. References: Ding, H., & Kuvaas, B. (2023). Illegitimate tasks: A systematic literature review and agenda for future research. Work & Stress, 37(3), 397–420. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2022.2148308 Semmer, N. K., Tschan, F., Meier, L. L., Facchin, S., & Jacobshagen, N. (2010). Illegitimate tasks and counterproductive work behavior. Applied Psychology, 59(1), 70–96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2009.00416.x