Person-environment fit is a formative construct

Abstract

This study explores the concept of person-environment (PE) fit. There has been a push recently to move beyond unidimensional definitions of fit and to consider fit at a variety of dimensions and levels of the environment simultaneously, which has led to questions about how this multidimensional construct should be conceptualized. Specifically, is fit on dimensions and levels a manifestation of overall fit (i.e., a reflective model) or does fit at the dimensions and levels combine to collectively define overall fit (i.e., a formative model)? This study focused on two main research questions. First, is PE fit a formative or reflective construct? Second, how does specifying PE fit as formative or reflective affect the prediction of outcomes? Six hundred and eighty-eight employees from a variety of occupations and organizations rated their fit with various aspects of their work environment and several attitudinal and behavioral outcomes. The results supported the hypotheses that PE fit should be conceptualized as a formative construct. The results also suggest that formative models slightly improve the prediction of outcomes. This suggests that the dimensions and levels of fit combine to form employees' perceptions of fit. Limitations, directions for future research, and implications for theory and practice are discussed.