An exploration of the utility of normative-ipsative scores for predicting absenteeism

The background and attitudinal variables were combined to correspond to Steers and Rhodes' (1978) conceptual model of absenteeism. The major factors were: (1) a personal characteristic or background factor, (2) a job situation or extrinsic factor, and (3) a job expectation or intrinsic factor. These factors were entered into a multiple regression equation twice to predict various types of absences. On one occasion the factors were entered as normative scores, while on the second occasion they were entered as normative-ipsative scores. The results were compared. There were not significant differences between the two types of scores. There were, however, differences in the intercorrelation matrices between the two type of scores. Previous research had suggested that the existence of negative correlations in the normative-ipsative matrice could be interpreted meaningfully. This was the case here. Using normative-ipsative scores the intercorrelations coefficient of the MSQ indicated that the extrinsic variables were antagonistically related to the intrinsic variables. This is opposite to the conclusions reached from the normative matrix. Interestingly, it is consistent with the findings of Deci's (1975) work on intrinsic motivation.

The second purpose in the study was to explore Steers and Rhodes (1978) conceptual process model of absenteeism. The model states that a distinction should be made between voluntary and involuntary absence. This was confirmed. Voluntary absence could be adequately predicted by the model while involuntary absence could not. This distinction has been overlooked in previous research and may account for some of the conflicting results in the literature. The results emphasize the importance of motivation theory in understanding attendance behavior.