Elucidating Influences on Superior-Subordinate Communication: Attributional Confidence and Organizational Control Expectancies Theodore A. Avfgis Jeffrey W. Kassing Sf. John's University Arizona State Uruversity West The purpose of this study was to examine how differences in orga- nizational control expectancies affect superior-subordinate interac- tion and relational certainty. Employees (N = 280) from several orga- nizations completed measures of perceived control, attributional con- fidence, and superior-subordinate interaction. Results indicated sig- nificant relationships between subordinates' work locus of control orientation with relational certainty and superior-subordinate rela- tionship quality. A large effect was observed between subordinates' report of relational certainty with supervisor and supervisor leader- ship style. Control within the organization has received an abundant amount of attention from scholars. Control has been conceptualized in a variety of ways ranging from the structural (Monge & Eisenberg, 1987; Mumby, 1994) to more interpersonal based approaches (Conrad & Ryan, 1985; Fairhurst, Green, & Snavely, 1984; Fairhurst, Rogers, & Sarr, 1987; Spector, 1982,1988). The accounting for control between organizational members is readily accepted as an integral part in explairung orgaruzational behaviors (Abdell-Halim, 1981; Anderson & Schneider, 1978; Avtgis, 2000a; Avtgis & Brogan, 1999; Johnson, Luthans, «& Hermessey, 1984; Kassing & Avtgis, in press; Kassing & Avtgis, 1999; Lamude, Daniels, & White, 1987; Mitchell, Smyser, & Weed, 1975). One particular aspect of organizational control is the notion of control expectancies. These are perceptions about controUabihty within the orga- Theodore A. Avtgis (Ph.D., Kent State University, 1999) is an assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Communication Sciences, and Theatre, St. John's Uruversity, Jamaica, NY 11439. Jeffrey W. Kassing (Ph.D., Kent State University, 1997) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies, Arizona State Uruversity West, Phoenix, AZ 85069.