Subjective person–organization fit: Bridging the gap between conceptualization and measurement

In this paper, we present a critical examination of the literature on subjective person–organization (P–O) fit and highlight several conceptual and measurement issues that may be perpetuating confusion in this literature. Specifically, we reviewed 46 empirical studies that have measured P–O fit perceptions and identified three primary sources of inconsistency among these studies, including (a) how P–O fit is conceptualized, (b) the operational definition of ‘organization,’ and (c) the content domain used to assess P–O fit. We discuss several implications of this review, including the potential role that individual differences play in fit perceptions. We also make a case for the development and adoption of uniform, validated measures of P–O fit that incorporate the multidimensional nature of fit.