Practical implicationsThe findings o

Practical implications

The findings of this investigation suggest some practical implications for organizations. First, because the relationship between an employee's work values and performance and effectiveness is influenced by political skill, some high performers quite likely may not be recognized for their efforts. Such lack of recognition may result in feelings of injustice and reduced satisfaction and commitment. Thus, organizations might be wise to engage in the training and development of political skill in their employees, which can yield positive benefits. Power has been found to positively correlate with attitudinal compliance and organizational commitment (Rahim & Afza, 1993) and with job satisfaction. Because politically skilled individuals can better enact expert and referent power and ensure favorable interactions with others, it is likely that increasing the political skill of the workforce can lead to more satisfied and more committed employees.
Based on the multilevel theory of personality manifestations, personnel selection could profit from using context-specific work values as manifestations of personality at work instead of basic and general personality traits. In addition, personnel selection should use a multiple hurdle model (i.e., applicants should demonstrate above average work values of getting along, getting ahead, and above average political skill). As the positive interactions in the present research have shown, it is the conjoint effect of several predictors that increases effectiveness.