Person-Environment Fit in Organizations: An Assessment of Theoretical Progress

Person-environment (P-E) fit is a central concept in organizational behavior research. Historically, reviews of P-E fit research have summarized empirical studies but said little about whether P-E fit research has made theoretical progress. This chapter applies criteria for evaluating theory to review and assess the theoretical status and progress of P-E fit research. The review encompasses P-E fit theories that span nearly a century and cover research on job satisfaction, job stress, vocational choice, recruitment and selection, and organizational climate and culture. This review indicates that most theories in P-E fit research fall well short of criteria for developing strong theory, and theories presented in recent years are no stronger than those developed decades earlier. Reasons for theoretical stagnation in P-E fit research are identified, and ways to promote theoretical progress are discussed.