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What are the factors that affect job satisfaction?
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Joined: Nov 2011
(1) Occupational level—The higher the level of the job, the greater the satisfaction of the individual. This is because higher level jobs carry greater prestige and self-control. This relationship between occupational level and job satisfaction stems from social reference group theory in that our society values some jobs more than others. Hence people in valued jobs will like them more than those who are in non- valued jobs. The relationship may also stem from the need-fulfillment theory. People in higher level jobs find most of their needs satisfied than when they are in lower level ones.
(2) Job Content—Greater variation in job content and the less the repetitiveness with which the tasks must be performed, the greater the satisfaction of the individuals involved. Since job content in terms of variety and nature of tasks called for is a function of occupational level, the theoretical arguments given above apply here also.
(3) Considerate leadership—People like to be treated with consideration. Hence considerate leadership results in higher job satisfaction than in considerate leadership.
(4) Pay and promotional opportunities—All other things being equal these two variables are positively related to job satisfaction. An explanation for this finding lies in both theories discussed above.
(5) Interaction and the work group— Here the question is: When is interaction and the work group a source of job satisfaction and when it is not? Interaction is most satisfying when:
(i) it results in the cognition that other person's attitudes are similar to one's own, since this permits the ready calculability of the other's behaviour and constitutes a validation of one's self;
(ii) It results in being accepted by others; and
(iii) It facilitates the achievement of goals. Personal Variables
For some people, it appears most jobs will be dissatisfying irrespective of the organisational conditions involved, whereas for others, most jobs will be satisfying. Personal variables like age, educational level, sex, etc., are responsible for this difference.
(1) Age—Most of the evidence on the relation between age and job satisfaction, holding such factors as occupational level constant, seems to indicate that there is generally a positive relationship between the two variables up to the preretirement years and that then there is a sharp decrease. An individual aspires for better and more prestigious jobs in later years of his life. Finding his channels for advancement blocked, his satisfaction declines.
(2) Educational level—With occupational level held constant there is a negative relationship between the educational level and job satisfaction. The higher the education, the higher the reference group which the individual looks for guidance to evaluate his job rewards.
(3) Sex-There is as yet no consistent evidence as to whether women are more satisfied with their jobs than men, holding such factors as job and occupational level constant. One might predict this to be the case, considering the generally lower occupational aspiration of women.
Job satisfaction may be increased by increase in wages, promotion, praise for good performance good working conditions etc. Job satisfaction depends on the factors which influence the morale.
