An investigation of the construct of work drive

There are many different ways to study people's commitment to their work. Mirels and Garrett (1971) studied the Protestant Work Ethic; Lawler and Hall (1970) examined job involvement; Kanungo (1982) researched work involvement; and Machlowitz (1980) studied workaholics. This present study pursues one aspect of this commitment to work - which is termed here work drive.

The data analyzed in this thesis were generated as part of a pre-employment test validation study conducted by Resource Associates, Inc. for an automotive manufacturing company. My analysis of the data is focused on the work drive measure, its criterion-related validity with job performance, and its relation to the 16 PF and NEO-PIR dimensions.

It is found that the work drive construct is significantly and uniquely related to job performance over and beyond the constructs usually related to job performance. In addition, the work drive measure is significantly related to several normal personality constructs, which reflects the complexity of its construct. Work drive should be examined further to gain a more comprehensive view of its construct.