Turnover As a Function of Perceived Ease and Desirability: A Largely Unsuccessful Test of the March and Simon Participation Model.

Abstract

The major purpose of this study is to determine whether voluntary turnover is a function of the perceived desirability and the perceived ease of movement, as hypothesized by March and Simon. Perceived desirability was measured using the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Cornell Job Descriptive Index. Modest support was obtained for the desirability-turnover linkage specified in the hypothesis. Perceived ease was measured by two specially constructed items. Neither was related to turnover. Moreover, the two ease measures showed very low convergent validity. One of the two, however, was related to several personal characteristics of the participants, as hypothesized by March and Simon. Implications of the findings for measuring perceived ease of movement and for studying employee turnover are discussed.