Study I illustrated the usefulness of the Relational Satisfaction Scale by identifying
specific factors that relate to relational satisfaction in on-going workgroups. Specifically,
attitudes about groups, assertiveness, responsiveness, and feedback were related
to the satisfaction that members experienced from workgroup relationships. Further,
the study offered that attitudes and feedback predict relational satisfaction. The
following discussions highlight the implications of the findings.
Attitudes
The direct and positive relationship between attitudes about working in groups
and relational satisfaction is informative. One explanation for the findings seems to
indicate that the employees in the study felt free to participate in the group's work.
Employees are known to like being part of groups when they are encouraged to
participate. Equally, group work is more enjoyable and effective if members are
reliable and committed to task completion (Cragan & Wright, 1990; Hirokawa &
Keyton, 1995). On the other hand, when employees dislike groups and group work as
a result of poor experiences, they may have difficulty in forming satisfying relationships
in current and subsequent groups (Keyton, 1993, 1999b; Sorensen, 1981).
In Study I, members must have felt satisfied with group relations, which finding
is consistent with Anderson and Martin's (1995b) report that satisfied members were
the ones who had their relational needs met in the group. Employees in workgroups
appear to need the emotional closeness that comes from interacting with coworkers in
groups. Relational satisfaction is one positive outcome. The practical value of understanding
the effects of relational satisfaction is that management can encourage members
of workgroups to attend to each other's relational needs through supportive
communicative practices (Gibb, 1961). Supportive communication shows members
they are liked, included, and free to debate ideas.