Organization Size and Member Attitudes: An Empirical Study

While research has linked large organizational size to bureaucratic administrative structures and less cohesive relationships between organization members, it has not established the effect of size on member attitudes. This study was conducted to determine if the relationship between organizational size and member attitudes is moderated by organizational subunit type and size, and by member status within the organizational hierarchy. Personnel aboard US Navy vessels were surveyed about their perceptions of organizational climate and their job satisfaction. A total of 8,347 respondents, representing a wide range of Naval rankings, were involved in a variety of functions, in subunits varying in size from 30-140 members. Only rank was found to positively influence climate perceptions and job satisfaction. No clear relationship was established between attitudes and subunit type or size. These results indicate that organizational size may mask the influence of other factors which determine worker attitudes.