Purpose Surprisingly, most studies have failed to demonstrate a strong correlation between organizational constraints (conditions at work that make doing a job difficult) and job performance. The purpose of this paper is to challenge the view that constraints are a direct barrier on performance and take an alternative approach whereby constraints have an indirect effect via decreased motivation and increased workload. Further, differential effects of various constraints are examined. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 660 engineers licensed in the state of Florida using a single online survey. Findings Qualitative results showed that the most commonly experienced constraints were from coworkers and organizational rules and procedures. Constraints identified as having a greater detrimental effect on motivation are from the supervisor, and organizational rules and procedures. Quantitative results supported an indirect effects model that includes an indirect path via motivation, and a path via workload, which had a curvilinear component. Originality/value This is one of few studies to explain the relationship between constraints and performance, rather than simply estimate it. The use of mixed methods allows us to gain an in-depth understanding of constraints, and the convergence of findings across the methods increases confidence in this study’s results.

中文翻译：

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组织约束和绩效：间接影响模型

目的令人惊讶的是，大多数研究都未能证明组织约束（工作条件使工作变得困难）与工作绩效之间存在很强的相关性。本文的目的是挑战以下观点：约束是性能的直接障碍，并采取替代方法，其中约束通过减少动力和增加工作量而具有间接影响。此外，研究了各种约束的差异影响。设计/方法/方法使用一次在线调查，从660个在佛罗里达州获得许可的工程师中收集了定性和定量数据。定性结果表明，最常遇到的限制来自同事，组织规则和程序。被确定为对动机有更大有害影响的约束来自上司，组织规则和程序。定量结果支持间接效应模型，该模型包括通过动机的间接路径和通过工作量的路径，它们具有曲线成分。原创性/价值这是为数不多的解释约束与绩效之间关系的研究之一，而不是简单地对其进行估算。混合方法的使用使我们能够对约束条件有更深入的了解，并且各方法之间的发现趋同可以增强对本研究结果的信心。其中具有曲线成分。原创性/价值这是为数不多的解释约束与绩效之间关系的研究之一，而不是简单地对其进行估算。混合方法的使用使我们能够对约束条件有更深入的了解，并且各方法之间的发现趋同可以增强对本研究结果的信心。其中具有曲线成分。原创性/价值这是为数不多的解释约束与绩效之间关系的研究之一，而不是简单地对其进行估算。混合方法的使用使我们能够深入了解约束条件，并且各方法之间的发现趋同可以提高对本研究结果的信心。