Conceptual Model: Operationalization

Conceptual Overview and Discussion

Operationalization requires three steps. First, the researcher needs to specify the core concepts of the conceptual model. Second, the researcher needs to determine a set of indicators or topics. Third, the researcher has to formulate an appropriate set of so-called data elicitors.

The specification of the conceptual model starts with defining a generic conceptual model. In the generic conceptual model the researcher defines the core concepts of the research project and decides which of these concepts are the dependent, the independent, and—when appropriate—the mediating or moderating variables.

For example, in a practice-oriented qualitative case study, the researcher aims at giving a clear insight into the influence of job characteristics on the employees' capacity to change. The generic conceptual model (direct effect) consists of the independent variable Job Design and the dependent variable Capacity to Change.

Because the core concepts as such are often too complex, too comprehensive, and too abstract, they need further specification. Based upon a profound study of the relevant literature, the researcher further decomposes each of these concepts into elements that are more unambiguous, less all-inclusive, and more concrete. The researcher unravels each of the core concepts into its dimensions, aspects, or subaspects. Subsequently, the researcher selects the dimensions, aspects, or subaspects that will be the constituting elements of the research.

The further analysis of the concept Job Design is based upon the five dimensions of the classic job characteristics model of J. Richard Hackman and Greg R. Oldham. The researcher focuses on the aspect Work Quantity Autonomy of the dimension Task autonomy. One of the dimensions of the concept Capacity to Change is Commitment. Commitment is decomposed according to Natalie J. Allen and John P. Meyers's model of organizational commitment. The researcher selects the aspect Affective Commitment from the dimension Commitment. Hence, the specified conceptual model consists of the independent variable Work Quantity Autonomy and the dependent variable Affective Commitment.

The final conceptual model includes the formulation of the assumed relationships to be studied. These assumptions, whether expectations or hypotheses, are based on the results of previous research. If previous research shows that the selected independent variable often has the same effect on the dependent variable, the researcher will be inclined to expect the same relationship in this research project. The researcher formulates assumptions for each of the relationships. This set of assumptions finalizes the conceptual model.

The researcher assumes that Work Quantity Autonomy will have a positive effect on Affective Commitment. The expectation or hypothesis reads as follows: An increase in the level of Work [Page 205]Quantity Autonomy will lead to a higher level of Affective Commitment.

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