Bringing Some Clarity to Role Ambiguity Research

Theorefical de11e/opmenf of tlie concept of role ambiguity and empiricnl research on this concept have proceeded fairly independently of one rwofher.Empiricnl work /ms confounded role ambiguity wif/1 both job dissatisfaclion arid formnlizafiot1.A new model of a,mbiguify is offered, emphasizing unpredicfnbility, rnf her th911 information deficiency, This model accords wifh expectancy theory, Role ambiguity has been receiving increased attention from organizational behavior researchers.• There is •increased use of role ambiguity and its • frequent companion, role conflict, as intervening variables between the structural characteristics of organizat1ons and a variety of individual behavioral and affective outcomes.Unfortunately, there is insufficient coherence to