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Handbook of organizational measurement
A foundational handbook designed to standardize and improve the empirical measurement of key concepts in the study of organizations.
A profile of this book is on the way.
What it’s about
The scientific study of organizations is critically hindered by a lack of standardized measures for its core concepts. This fragmentation makes comparing research findings difficult, impeding the generation and verification of robust theory. The Handbook of Organizational Measurement addresses this fundamental problem by systematically compiling, defining, and evaluating existing measures for 22 of the most significant concepts in the field, from Absenteeism and Centralization to Satisfaction and Size. For each concept, the book provides a precise conceptual definition and presents one or more empirically-tested measures, detailing their data collection methods, computation, and available validity and reliability evidence. This handbook is an indispensable reference for researchers and students seeking to conduct rigorous, cumulative science by building on a shared foundation of sound measurement.
The through-line
- Who it’s for
- A researcher, scholar, or student in organizational studies who wants to conduct rigorous empirical research and contribute to cumulative theory by finding reliable and valid ways to measure key concepts.
- The problem
- The field lacks standardized, easily accessible measures for core organizational concepts, forcing researchers to constantly reinvent the wheel or use ad-hoc instruments, which makes comparing findings across studies nearly impossible. The reader feels frustrated and uncertain about how to measure complex concepts rigorously. They worry their findings are artifacts of their measurement choices and that their work will not be cumulative with others in the field.
- The plan
- Consult the alphabetically organized chapters to find precise conceptual definitions for the variables in your study.
- Review the presented empirical measure(s), including data collection procedures, computation rules, and known validity/reliability.
- Adopt or adapt these established measures in your own research to promote standardization and comparability.
- Contribute to the field by improving existing measures and developing new ones for neglected concepts.
- The payoff
- The reader's research becomes more rigorous, comparable, and cumulative, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to organizational theory. · They feel confident in their methodological choices, knowing their work is built on a solid foundation. · The field of organizational studies moves toward becoming a more mature, quantitative science.
See our guide
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Additional reading
- Causal Inferences in Nonexperimental Research · Blalock, H. M. Jr. (1964)
Cited as a foundational text for causal modeling, which is the basis for the structural equation models used throughout the book to analyze measurement quality and correct for error.
- Convergent and discriminant validation by the multitrait-multimethod matrices · Campbell, D. T., & Fiske, D. W. (1959)
The seminal paper that introduced the Multitrait-Multimethod (MTMM) matrix, which is the core experimental design for evaluating question quality in this book.
- Questions and Answers in Attitude Survey: Experiments on Question Form, Wording and Context · Schuman, H., & Presser, S. (1981)
The classic text on experimental survey methodology, frequently cited for its split-ballot experiments demonstrating the powerful effects of question wording and format on responses.
- Mail and Internet Surveys. The Tailored Design Method · Dillman, D. A. (2000)
Referenced as the key source for practical guidance on questionnaire layout, ordering, and administration across different survey modes, topics which the book touches on but does not cover in depth.
- Structural Equations with Latent Variables · Bollen, K. A. (1989)
Cited as a comprehensive textbook for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the advanced statistical technique required to implement the MTMM models and error-correction procedures central to the book's methodology.
- The Psychology of Survey Response · Tourangeau, R., Rips, L. J., & Rasinski, K. (2000)
Frequently referenced for its comprehensive model of the cognitive processes underlying survey responses (comprehension, retrieval, judgment, and reporting), which provides the theoretical explanation for why question characteristics affect data quality.
- Survey Sampling · Kish, L. (1965)
The book frequently refers to this text, recommending it as a primary resource for its comprehensive discussions of sampling practice.
- Sampling Techniques · Cochran, W. G. (1977)
Recommended by the author as a key text for its thorough treatment of the statistical theory underlying survey sampling.
- Sample Survey Methods and Theory · Hansen, M. H., Hurwitz, W. N., and Madow, W. G. (1953)
Cited as a foundational text for its discussion of the practical application of sampling methods.
- Survey Methods in Social Investigation · Moser, C. A. and Kalton, G. (1971)
Co-authored by the book's author, it provides a broader introduction to survey methods, placing sampling in context.