03-08-2013, 12:07 PM
JOB SATISFACTION: A LITERATURE REVIEW
JOB SATISFACTION.pdf (Size: 162.49 KB / Downloads: 358)
Abstract
Job satisfaction represents one of the most complex areas facing today’s managers when it comes to managing their
employees. Many studies have demonstrated an unusually large impact on the job satisfaction on the motivation of
workers, while the level of motivation has an impact on productivity, and hence also on performance of business
organizations.Unfortunately, in our region, job satisfaction has not still received the proper attention from neither
scholars nor managers of various business organizations.
DEFINITION AND IMPORTANCE OF JOB SATISFACTION
Despite its vide usage in scientific research,as well as in everyday life,there is still no general agreement
regarding what job satisfaction is. In fact there is no final definition on what job represents. Therefore before a
definition on job satisfaction can be givven , the nature and importance of work as a universal human activity
must be considered.
Different authors have different approaches towards defining job satisfaction. Some of the most commonly
cited definitions on job satisfaction are analysed in the text that folows.
Hoppock defined job satisfaction as any combination of psychological, physiological and environmental
circumstances that cause a person truthfully to say I am satisfied with my job (Hoppock, 1935). According to
this approach although job satisfaction is under the influence of many external factors, it remains something
internal that has to do with the way how the employee feels. That is job satisfaction presents a set of factors
that cause a feeling of satisfaction.
Vroom in his definition on job satisfaction focuses on the role of the employee in the workplace. Thus he
defines job satisfaction as affective orientations on the part of individuals toward work roles wich they are
presently occupying (Vroom, 1964).
MEASURING JOB SATISFACTION
Usualy job satisfaction is measured by using general scientific research methods such as the questonaire.
Some of the most commonly used techniques for measuring job satisfaction include:
Minnesota satisfaction questonaire and
Job description index
The Minnesota Satisfaction Questonaire is a paper-pencil type of a questonaire and can be implemented
both individualy and in group, but it does not take sex differences into consideration. This questonaire has
one short form and two long forms that date from 1967 and 1977. In fact 20 work features in five levels are
measured with this questonaire. Responding to this questonaire usually takes between 15-20 minutes.
EFFECTS OF JOB SATISFACTION
Job satisfaction causes a series of onfluences on various aspects of organizational life. Some of them such
as the influence of job satisfaction on employee productivity, loyalty and abstenteism are analysed as part of
this text.
The proponderance of research evidence indicates that there is no strong linkage between satisfaction and
productivity. For example a comprehesive meta-analysis of the research literature finds only a.17 best-
estimate correlation between job satisfaction and productivity . Satisfied workers will not necessearily be the
highest producers. There are many possible moderating variables , the most important of which seems to be
rewards. If people receive rewards they feel are equitable , they will be satisfies and this is likely to result in
greater performance effort. Also, recent research evidence indicates that satisfaction may not necessarily
lead to individual performance improvement but does lead to departamental and organizational level
improvements. Finally there is still considerable debate weather satisfaction leads to performance or
performance leads to satisfaction (Luthans, 1998).
CONCLUSIONS
Job satisfaction represents one of the most complex areas facing today’s managers when it comes to
managing their employees. Although thousands of papers and research have been conducted on job
satisfaction all over the world, in the Republic of Macedonia this is one of the least studied research fields.
Many studies have demonstrated an unusually large impact on the job satisfaction on the motivation of
workers, while the level of motivation has an impact on productivity, and hence also on performance of
business organizations.
There is a considerable impact of the employees perceptions for the nature of his work and the level of
overall job satisfaction. Financial compansation has a great impact on the overall job satisfaction of
employees .