PSYCH-105 Industrial Psychology
Chapter 6: Job Satisfaction
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Appendix
Definition of Job Satisfaction
Job satisfaction is defined as the amount of pleasure and contentment associated with a job. Job satisfaction is employee’s perception that the job content and context actually provide what an employee values in the work situation. Job satisfaction is an emotional response to a job situation. It is a result of employee’s perception of how well their job provides those things that are viewed as important.
The term Job satisfaction was brought to limelight by Hoppock (1935). Hoppock describes job satisfaction as, “any combination of psychological, physiological and environmental circumstances that cause and person truthfully to say I am satisfied with my job.”
Locke (1976), defined job satisfaction as “a pleasurable or positive emotional state resulting from the appraisal of one’s job or job experiences” It is the most widely accepted explanation of job satisfaction.
Feldman and Arnold (1983): “Job satisfaction is the amount of overall positive affect (or feelings) that individuals have towards their jobs.”
Kreitner and Kinicki (1995) described, Job satisfaction is an affective or emotional response toward various facets of one’s job. This definition means job satisfaction is not a unitary concept.
Davis and Newstrom (1989) explained Job satisfaction is a set of favorable or unfavorable feelings with which employees view their work.”
Andrew (1988) stated that job satisfaction is the amount of pleasure or contentment associated with a job.
Job satisfaction has many dimensions. Commonly noted facets are satisfaction with the work itself, wages, and recognition, rapport with supervisors and co-workers, and chance for advancement. Each dimension contributes to an individual’s overall feeling of satisfaction with the job itself.
Importance of Job Satisfaction
It is a diagnostic instrument for knowing employees’ problems, effecting changes and correcting with least resistance. It strengthens the communication system of the organization and management can discuss the result for shaping the future course of action. It helps in improving the attitudes of employees towards the job and facilitates integration of employee with the organization. It inspires sense of belongingness and sense of participation leading to the overall increase in the productivity of the organization. It helps unions to know exactly what employees want and what management is doing. Thus, it facilitates mutual settlement of grievances and other unwanted situations. It facilitates in determining the training and development needs of the both, employees and the organization. To list them we can say:
- Job satisfaction improves productivity.
- It reduce absenteeism and labour turnover
- Individuals become affectionate with the organisation
- Job satisfaction improves image of corporation
- Job satisfaction improves longevity of life of employees. It results in happy living
- Job satisfaction helps in maintaining physical and mental health. Chronic dissatisfaction at work causes stress emotionally resulting in hypertension, coronary diseases, digestive ailments and even cancer.
