Contingency Management Theory Key Terms

Understanding contingency management theory vocabulary is key to its implementation

By Shannon Tani

Contingency management theory states that there is no one right way to manage employees. Everything depends on the unique situation. Whether you are looking to use contingency management theory when managing your employees or you are an employee whose manager uses contingency theory, a good knowledge of the key terms associated with the field will help you to adjust. Fred Fiedler is a major player in contingency theory and many companies employ the least preferred co-worker scale.

Fred Fiedler

Fred Fiedler is the main theorist who developed the idea of contingency management. His theories focus on the leader and the way that the leader relates to the employees that he or she manages.
Try: You can learn more about Fred Fiedler and his theories in the book Great Writers on Organizations by Derek Salman Pugh and David J. Hickson.

Least preferred co-worker scale (LPC)

The least preferred co-worker scale, or LPC, asks leaders to rate people with whom they do not enjoy working. The results of this "test" show what type of leader he or she is. Those with a high LPC score focus on relationships when leading; those with a low LPC score focus on tasks when leading.
Try: ChangingMinds.org describes the least preferred co-worker scale.

Vroom-Yetton-Jago Normative Decision Model

The Vroom-Yetton-Jago Normative Decision Model allows leaders to ask a series of questions about a project, which in turn shows them the best way to manage a particular project. For example, some projects require a higher level of participation from the leader.
Try: Learn more about the Vroom-Yetton-Jago Normative Decision Model, including a diagram, from College of St. Scholastica.

Garbage can model

The garbage can model states that an organization is similar to a garbage can in that people dump many different types of problems and solutions into it.
Try: 12 Manage gives a more thorough description of the garbage can model.

Situational control

Situational control is how a leader maintains control over a particular situation. Different types of situations require different methods and levels of control, and the leader's style should be suited to the project.
Try: Learn more about situational control from Situational Control and a Dynamic Theory of Leadership.

Leader-member relations

Leader-member relations are the ways that leaders and employees interact with each other. Good interactions are an important part of an organization's success.
Try: The article Leader-Member Relations as a Function of Rapport Management discusses leader-member relations. Download the entire article to learn more.