An analysis of the several aspects of job satisfaction between different occupational groups

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate job satisfaction of employees from different occupational levels with respect to different aspects of the job and the job environment. Questionnaire data were collected in 4 organizations from a sample of 120 individuals who were managers (n:40), office clerks (n:40), and janitors (n:40). The following hypotheses were tested: 1) The higher the level of the job, the greater the general satisfaction of the individual. 2) The higher the level of the job, the greater the intrinsic satisfaction of the individual over and above the difference observed in general satisfaction scores. 3) Individuals will express less satisfaction related to extrinsic factors than intrinsic factors. 4) Individuals who make job choices on intrinsic factors will express more general satisfaction than those who make the decision based on extrinsic factors. 5) Individuals who want to leave their jobs will express lower levels of job satisfaction than individuals who do not want to leave their jobs. The hypotheses are confirmed and findings are discussed in terms of Herzberg's two-factor theory, Maslow's need hierarchy theory, Deci's cognitive evaluation theory and Darley and Hagenah's occupational level theory.