Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1987. / Also available in print.

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Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University

Job satisfaction is one of the methods used to establish and maintain a healthy organisational structure. It has been frequently investigated in studies that deal with organisational strategies because of its potential impact on work attitudes such as job performance, productivity and organisational commitment. Although researchers have identified many factors that relate to job satisfaction, the majority of these factors can be grouped into two broad categories: (a) personal factors, and (b) environmental factors. Although personal and environmental factors are utilised as distinctly competing models of job satisfaction, researchers argue that the work environment is a better predictor of job satisfaction. Most, if not all, scales used to measure job satisfaction have been developed in Western countries. The aim of this study is to identify the determinants of job satisfaction in one of the largest public sector organisations in the United Arab Emirates, namely, the Dubai Police Force (DPF), and then, to develop a model of job satisfaction linking antecedents and consequences to job satisfaction. The police, like any other public sector organisation, needs to develop and maintain a strong relationship with its human resources in order to effectively perform crime fighting and service provider roles. The issue of job satisfaction, particularly amongst Middle East police force employees, has received only limited research attention. Although some studies have tried to identify the indicators of job satisfaction among police employees, empirical findings on those indicators have generally been sparse and inconclusive. The study employed a mixed method approach to meet its aims and to increase the reliability and validity of the results. The research strategy adopted involved sequential procedures. A qualitative study was conducted first to explore the research issue and to provide in-depth evidence for the research objectives (stage one). The results from the qualitative study were used to develop a scale. The quantitative study was carried out to explore the determinants of job satisfaction among the DPF employees (stage two). Five separate data collections (in-depth interviews, focus group, expert panel, pilot testing, and survey-DPF employees) were conducted, involving a total of 1,075 respondents. The results of this study support the conclusions of previous research that the work environment is a better predictor of job satisfaction than individual demographic variables and that personal factors are of little value to understanding job satisfaction. The results show that 47% of the variance in job satisfaction scores can be explained by eleven environmental and four personal variables (in order of importance): salary and incentives, nature of the work, public perception, organisational policy and strategy, relationships with co-workers, supervision, promotion opportunity, performance appraisal, professional development, communication, job stress, nationality, sex, shift work and public contact. Accordingly, several policy implications of the findings and recommendations for future research are discussed.

The movement of nursing professionals from the public sector to the private sector, and from the private sector to foreign countries severely impact on the ability of developing countries to meet their domestic health care needs. In South Africa, the public health care system is facing serious human resource constraints, due to this migration. There simply aren’t enough experienced nurses to manage the escalating health care service consumption caused by factors such as population growth, increased burden of disease, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and decreased training of nursing personnel. A staggering 37 801 doctor and nurse posts are vacant in public hospitals and clinics (Kahn, 2008). Unless improved human resource management strategies are implemented urgently, the migration of health care workers from especially public service health institutions in South Africa will seriously hamper implementation of the stated health care reform strategy. This study investigates the reasons why South African nurses are leaving the public and private health sector, or their profession, or even the country as a whole. Based on the results of a survey of 67 nurses in the private and public health sectors in the northern Kwazulu Natal area, the study found that unfavorable working conditions together with low levels of job satisfaction caused by perceived reasons such as insufficient salaries, limited career advancement, ineffective management, excessive workload and safety concerns led to this state of job satisfaction. Most of the drivers responsible for this exodus can be attributed to the real or perceived deterioration in socio-political factors. The recommendations for the health care sector in South Africa are; • Review nurses salaries annually – not only during restructuring or crisis situations. • Ensure that nurse’s remuneration packages are competitive with those of similar professions. • Pay nurses incentives for working unsocial hours. • Pay nurses bonuses for acquiring additional qualifications. • Pay nurses who work late shifts additional allowances. • Train nursing managers. • Provide training and education opportunities for nursing staff. • Respect should be shown by managers, physicians and colleagues. • Improve the workplace environment and working conditions of nursing staff. • Improve overall morale by rewarding excellence and treating nurses with respect and dignity.

In this thesis, I present three studies that add to the literature on job satisfaction in Great Britain. In the first study, I use data from the British 2004 Workplace Employee Relations Survey (WERS) to examine the relationship between job related training and job satisfaction. I use a random effects ordinal regression model that exploits the matching of workplace information to employee information to control for unobserved heterogeneity at the workplace level. Using this technique, I find clear evidence that job related training is positively associated with all the dimensions of job satisfaction considered. I also find evidence that that the impact of training on workers' satisfaction varies for different groups of workers and depends on the amount of training individuals have relative to colleagues in the same workplace In the second study, I also make use of the 2004 WERS data, including the new financial performance questionnaire, to examine the relationship between job satisfaction and workplace performance. I find that average job satisfaction is positively associated with subjective assessments of financial performance and labour productivity and that these associations are statistically significant at conventional test levels. I find that measures of job satisfaction are negatively related to rates of absenteeism and voluntary employee turnover. I also find that job satisfaction is positively related to gross value added per full-time equivalent employee but this association is not statistically significant when measures of absenteeism and voluntary employee turnover are included in the model as explanatory variables. Finally, I find no statistically significant relationship between measures of satisfaction and profitability. In the third study, I use the first six waves of the Welsh boosts to the British Household Panel Survey to explain the determinants of overall job satisfaction and four facets of job satisfaction in Wales. My results show that low-paid workers in Wales do not report lower job satisfaction than their higher paid counterparts. Moreover, I find that despite there being disproportionately more low-paid workers in Wales than in either England or Scotland, job satisfaction is higher in Wales than in the other countries.

Magister Pharmaceuticae - MPharm / For the study the Keirsey Bates Temperament Sorter was completed by 602 pharmacy students during their study period at the University of the Western Cape. The results showed that the pharmacy students had a tendency towards the Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling and Judging Personality Type Preferences. Personality Temperaments of the pharmacy students were also compared with the general population and it was found that there were statistically significant more students with the SJ Personality Temperaments and statistically significant less students with the SP Personality Temperaments in the pharmacy population than in the general population. This study very clearly points out the value of using the Keirsey Bates Temperament Sorter as an aid, not only in guiding the student in the process of career choice, but also facilitating the placing of the newly qualified pharmacist in his or her choice of practice setting. / South Africa

Magister Commercii - MCom / Numerous studies have evaluated occupational stress and job satisfaction of teachers in South Africa (Jackson & Rothmann, 2006; Olivier & Venter, 2003; Steyn & Kamper, 2006; Rothmann & Coetzee, 2006; Schulze & Steyn, 2007; Van Tonder & Williams, 2009). Teachers in the Western Cape, like their counterparts in the rest of the country, face issues of transformation and uncertainty in the environment (Muller, 2008). In addition to stress which arise from the work itself, studies have indicated that lower job satisfaction leads to high staff turnover and less new entries into the profession (Steyn & Kamper, 2006).Stress causes both physiological and psychological damage (McKenna, 2006). Stress can drive individual performance but severe stress lowers coping resources of staff and reduces work performance and overall job satisfaction (Stranks, 2006). Kauer (2011) showed that when teachers are dissatisfied with their work they are more likely to experience occupational stress. Staff who are frustrated in their work or have unsatisfied needs experience increased tension leading to lower work motivation (Robbins & DeCenzo, 2007). If stress levels are known it may be isolated and coping mechanisms may be developed to motivate teachers and create a healthy work environment (Arnold, 2005). It has been found that job stress and the lack of job satisfaction are associated with physical illness amongst teachers (Peltzer, 2009). Strategies to reduce occupational stress, techniques to build resistance to it and methods to alter the appraisal of workplace stressors may serve to enhance the job satisfaction of teachers. It has been found that occupational stress in teaching is of severe proportions (Zurlo, Pes & Cooper, 2007) and that satisfaction in teaching is determined by the extent to which teachers are satisfied with certain job satisfaction determinants within their work environment (Andersen, 2011, Olulube, 2006, Weiqi, 2006, Drukpa, 2010). Monyatsi (2012), Yahaya and Husain (2011), Hanif, Tariq and Nadeem (2011), Klassen and Chiu (2010), Kauts and Saroj (2010) and Ngimbudzi (2009) found that biographical variables such as gender and tenure impact on the levels of job satisfaction reported by teachers.The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between occupational stress and job satisfaction of teachers in the North Metropole district in the Western Cape, to explore the factors that may contribute to these respective variables and to recommend ways to improve and enhance the delivery of quality education in the Western Cape. A non-probability sampling method in the form of convenience sampling was used to collect the sample. The sample comprised of 118 participants who were from seven schools in a particular geographically defined area within the North Metrolole district of the Western Cape. Primary data was collected by means of a self-developed biographical questionnaire. The Occupational Stress Scale was administered to measure occupational stress and the Job Satisfaction Survey was used to measure job satisfaction in teachers. Both instruments have been proven reliable and valid. The data was analyzed in terms of descriptive statistics (namely the mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages) as well as inferential statistics (namely the Pearson Product Moment, and the T-Test).

Corporate entrepreneurship (CE) is seen as an important facet of strategic renewal, profitability, innovativeness and growth of organisations. This study examined the relationship between CE, Market Orientation (MO), Organizational Flexibility (F) and Job Satisfaction (JS). The outcomes of the influence of CE, organisational flexibility and market orientation on job satisfaction were also assessed. The Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (CEAI) developed by Hornsby, Kuratko and Zahra (2002) was used to measure CE. Market orientation was measured by the Market Orientation Scale developed by Kohli, Jaworski and Kumar (1993). The Organisational Flexibility Scale developed by Khandwalla (1977) was used to measure flexibility of organisations. Job satisfaction was measured by the means of the short form of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire developed by Weiss, Davis, England and Lofquist (1967). Data were gathered from 333 respondents representing four different sectors namely, life assurance, information technology, transport and education. Factor Analysis was employed to revalidate the structure and internal reliability of each instrument used in the study. This resulted in a five-factor solution for the CEAI, named management support, work discretion, rewards/reinforcement, time availability, support for innovation and work improvement. A three-factor solution emerged in the case of market orientation, named intelligence generation, inertia and responsiveness. A two-factor solution was identified for the organisational flexibility scale, namely formality and authoritarianism. The two components of job satisfaction were identified as extrinsic and intrinsic job satisfaction. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was done, investigating the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship, market orientation and flexibility and job satisfaction sub-scales. Multiple Regression Analysis investigated the prediction of job satisfaction by means of corporate entrepreneurship, market orientation and flexibility as independent variables. Of the six Structural Equation Models built in this study, three indicated a good fit with the data. From a managerial perspective the results of two of the models indicate that the corporate entrepreneurship factors of rewards/reinforcement, formal organisational flexibility and an intelligence generative market orientation contribute statistically significantly toward higher levels of extrinsic and total job satisfaction. Additionally the corporate entrepreneurship factor of work improvement, formal organisational flexibility and an intelligence generative market orientation contribute statistically significantly toward higher levels of intrinsic job satisfaction. Though the remaining three models showed a weaker fit with the data, indications are that extrinsic and total job satisfaction could be negatively influenced by CE factors of rewards/reinforcement, inflexible authoritarianism and a market orientation of inertia. Furthermore intrinsic job satisfaction could be negatively influenced by work improvement CE, inflexible authoritarianism and an inertia market orientation. / Thesis (DBA (Business Administration))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

It is well supported in the literature that a positive relationship exists between effective leadership and business success. Given the importance of SMEs in South Africa, their large numbers, and the extent to which they positively influence the economy of the country, it is important to study leadership behaviour in the context of small and medium-sized businesses in an attempt to reduce their high failure rates. More specifically a need has been identified to research, develop, and implement more ethical and relational leadership styles among business owners. The focus of this study is therefore on several people-centred leadership styles, and their influence on selected outcomes among the owners of small and medium-sized businesses. Against this background, the primary objective is to assess the level of Servant, Authentic, Ethical and Participative leadership exhibited by SME owners in the Eastern Cape, and to establish whether exhibiting these people-centred leadership styles influences their Job satisfaction and the Perceived financial performance of their businesses. A quantitative research paradigm was adopted for this study. More specifically, an explanatory and descriptive study of a cross-sectional nature was undertaken. A comprehensive literature study was conducted using existing secondary sources. The primary data collection procedures involved selecting the population, the sample, and the sampling method, as well as the sample size for the study. For the purpose of this study, the population consisted of all small and medium-sized business owners operating businesses within the boundaries of the Eastern Cape Province. A sample of 500 of these businesses was selected by means of convenience sampling. In total 246 usable questionnaires were returned, on which to undertake the statistical analyses. A survey was undertaken, and a structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to gather the necessary data. The scales for measuring the constructs under investigation were developed based on previous research. To assess the validity of the scales measuring the constructs in this study, an exploratory factor analysis was undertaken, and its reliability was tested by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s product moment correlation, regression analyses (simple and multiple) and analyses of variance. Five usable factors were extracted from the exploratory factor analysis; these corresponded with the theoretical dimensions of Participative leadership, Perceived financial performance, Ethical leadership, Servant leadership, and Job satisfaction. The items measuring Authentic leadership did not load as expected, and this construct was thus no longer included in empirical testing in this study. Satisfactory evidence of validity and reliability were provided for the other factors extracted. The independent variables reported mean scores of between 3.760 and 4.548, with the majority of respondents agreeing with the statements measuring these leadership styles. The dependent variables Job satisfaction and Perceived financial performance returned mean scores of 4.508 and 3.962 respectively, with the majority of the respondents agreeing with the statements measuring these factors. All the independent variables (Servant leadership, Ethical leadership and Participative leadership) reported significant and positive relationships with each another. The correlation between the dependent variables (Perceived financial performance and Job satisfaction) was found to reflect a moderate positive association. Job satisfaction and Perceived financial performance both reported significantly positive associations with all the independent variables. The simple regression analyses undertaken revealed a significant positive linear relationship between Perceived financial performance and Job satisfaction, as well as between Perceived financial performance and the Job satisfaction of SME owners. The multiple regression analysis undertaken revealed that significant positive linear relationships existed between two independent variables, Servant leadership and Ethical leadership, and the dependent variable Job satisfaction. A significant positive linear relationship was also reported between Ethical leadership and Perceived financial performance. No relationships were found between the independent variables Servant leadership and Participative leadership and the dependent variable Perceived financial performance. No relationship was found between the independent variable Participative leadership and the dependent variable Job satisfaction. The analysis of variance results revealed that Gender, Qualification and the Nature of the business exerted a significant influence on Servant leadership. The results also showed that Generation exerted a significant influence on the perceived level of Ethical leadership displayed by the SME owner. In addition, the findings of the present study showed that the demographic variable Nature of the business exerted a significant influence on Participative leadership. Investigating leadership styles among SMEs is a topic of significance and growing interest among researchers. Given the importance of SMEs to the economies of countries, investigating factors that influence their success is vital. The findings of this study showed that by adopting more people-centred leadership styles, the job satisfaction of SME owners was increased, and the financial performance of their businesses improved. It is hoped that the findings of this study will provide SME owners with practical suggestions on how to increase their levels of job satisfaction and the financial performance of their businesses, and that the suggestions for future research will inspire future researchers to further investigate the issue of leadership among SMEs.