ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on a general discussion of the basic nature and characteristics of attribution theory, as well as the nature of its contribution within the organizational sciences. It discusses the research that includes aspects of attribution theory on leadership and selection, but attribution theory as a theoretical body of work was frequently ignored. An executive's account of the year's performance may serve the dual functions of both causal analysis and impression management. Consumers' attributions regarding product characteristics such as quality and reliability have also been the target of attribution theories. Although the achievement-oriented intrapersonal attributional models have been a major focus of attention in psychology, less attention has been devoted to the achievement-oriented models in organizational contexts. The dimensions include controllability, universality versus specificity, and intentionality. To a large extent, the relevant attributional dimensions depend upon the domain of interest. Responsibility assignment models are most typical of the attributional research conducted in organizations.
