Affective influences in person–environment fit theory: Exploring the role of affect as both cause and outcome of P-E fit.

Abstract

Person-environment (P-E) fit theory is a general framework that has been used extensively to understand thinking and behavior in organizations. However, recent research has highlighted several important issues that compromise understanding of the P-E fit construct. First, it is widely assumed that affect is only an outcome of P-E fit. Second, understanding of the antecedents to P-E fit is severely limited. Third, the non correspondence between objective and subjective fit components has typically not been accounted for. In a bid to address these issues, the author presents an expanded model of P-E fit and argues for and explicates a more important role for work-based affect (i.e., moods, emotions, and affective attitudes that are experienced at work) in P-E fit theory. Two competing perspectives (affective consistency and hedonistic) are proposed to account for why work-based affect can be a cause of P-E fit. This expanded model of P-E fit improves understanding of how P-E fit is actually experienced and managed as a result of individuals' affective experiences at work.