Causal Analysis in the Organizational Sciences and Alternative Model Specification and Evaluation

Abstract

The requirement in causal analysis concerning ordering of a model's variables is considered by discussing literature on path analytic modeling and causal inference procedures. A general procedure, to be used when several rival causal models are tested, is presented and the necessity for its use illustrated with a test of House's Path-Goal Theory of Leadership. Generalizations and recommendations on causal analysis are discussed.