M.Comm.

M.Com. (Business Management) / The main objective of any service organisation should be to make a profit. This objective can only be achieved by increasing the employees’ performance, which is subsequently related to Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Job Satisfaction. The studies on the relationship between EI and Job Satisfaction are becoming prevalent in the academic literature. Currently, a debate is on as to determine the extent of the relationship between EI and Job Satisfaction amongst different demographics. Westcol FET, is seen as one of the top performing colleges in South Africa and it claims to make use of Job Satisfaction as part of a business strategy in order to increase performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between EI and Job Satisfaction amongst Westcol FET lecturers, while taking into consideration the organisation’s demographic characteristics. One hundred lecturers at Westcol FET were asked to complete the Genos Emotional Intelligence Inventory (short version) and the Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS). The sample consisted of 56 participants across different ages, genders, qualifications and lecturing fields. A convenience sampling method was used. All the participants completed the Genos EI in order to measure EI whereas the JDS was used in order to measure Job Satisfaction. The research results show that there was a statistically significant relationship between EI and Job Satisfaction among the Westcol FET lecturers and more specifically in relation to race, gender, years of service and qualifications. Recommendations were made with regard to EI, Job Satisfaction and demographics.

M.Com. (Industrial Psychology) / The study examines the antecedents of job satisfaction, focusing on the influence of co-worker relations (work role fit, co-worker support, supervisor support, norm adherence and self- consciousness), and psychological safety. The primary research objective was to examine the levels of job satisfaction experienced by academics. Respondents from a higher education institution were asked to complete an online survey containing, the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire and an extract from the Workplace Characteristics Questionnaire compiled by May, Harter, & Gilson (2004). The results report relatively high levels of job satisfaction for both intrinsic and extrinsic satisfaction. Significant differences in perceived job satisfaction were obtained for age, qualification type and staff classification. Psychological safety and co-worker relations reported a predictive relationship with job satisfaction (intrinsic and extrinsic). Work role fit, co-worker support and supervisor support were positively associated with psychological safety; adherence to co-worker norms and self-consciousness were negatively associated. The mediation analysis revealed that psychological safety mediates the relationship between co-worker relations and job satisfaction. Psychological safety mediates the influence of co-worker relations’ variables (co-worker support and self-consciousness) and intrinsic job satisfaction fully. Work role fit had a strong effect on both intrinsic and extrinsic satisfaction. Psychological safety partially mediated the relationship for both co-worker support and supervisor support, and extrinsic job satisfaction.

This thesis is devoted to analyzing the current level and historical development of customer satisfaction level in a hotel. The aim of such is to figure out, to what extent customers are content with accommodation and supportive services provided by the hotel, analyze in details the feedback provided by guests, discover the problematic areas and provide solutions to improve those. As a part of the thesis current approach to customer satisfaction measurement will be presented and recommendations will be made on how to modify it to reach more accurate and useful overview of the issue.

Health care professionals play a pivotal role in contributing towards the sustainability of a healthy economy and the standard of quality health care. It is therefore important that organisations understand what influences the job satisfaction levels of health care professionals as it could have an impact on their motivational levels and ultimately the quality of health care that is provided. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of job satisfaction amongst health care professionals in a public hospital in the Eastern Cape. Research for this study included a literature review to define what job satisfaction is and to establish a theoretical foundation to identify the factors that influence job satisfaction. Various motivational theories were explored after which Herzberg’s two-factor theory was identified to serve as a theoretical basis for investigating the job content and organisational factors that influence job satisfaction. Selected demographic factors that could possibly influence levels of job satisfaction were also identified. An empirical study, consisting of a survey with a questionnaire as measuring instrument, was conducted amongst 146 health care professionals at a public hospital in the Eastern Cape. The purpose of the questionnaire was to determine the extent to which job content factors and organisational factors that were associated with job satisfaction were present in the jobs of health care professionals in state hospitals. In addition, the purpose was also to determine whether selected demographic variables had an influence on the responses provided to the factors that were associated with job satisfaction and the job satisfaction levels of the target group. The major findings of the study indicated that all job content and organisational factors had an influence on the job satisfaction levels of health care professionals in a public hospital. Three factors namely Achievement, Responsibility and Work itself were identified to have a significant positive influence on the job satisfaction levels. Relationships between the demographic variables and the job content and organisational factors were identified. Work itself, Responsibility and Achievement were the top three factors whilst leadership/supervision, Human Resource systems and policies and Remuneration and benefits were the bottom three factors in terms of presence in the organisation and influence on the job satisfaction levels of health care professionals. Safety aspects, work environment standards, availability of resources, remuneration and benefits were amongst the major concerns highlighted. The job content factors were identified to be overall more present than the organisational factors. Recommendations were suggested to address the areas of concern that were highlighted in this study in order to ensure high levels of job satisfaction amongst the health care professionals.

The purpose of this exploratory descriptive study was to determine orthopedic patients' perceptions of satisfying and/or dissatisfying nursing care behaviours during their emergency room experience. The conceptual framework selected for this study was based on Risser's (1975) criterion to evaluate patient satisfaction with nursing care. Risser's evaluative criterion consists of four dimensions which include: technical-professional behaviour, trusting relationship, inter-intrapersonal relationship, and educational relationship. The study was conducted in a large metropolitan hospital in the Vancouver area. The sample consisted of seven men and three women. Their ages ranged from 23 to 81 years. All subjects were admitted to the emergency room and subsequently transferred to an orthopedic ward as a result of an orthopedic injury and/or illness. An interview guide was designed by the researcher to collect retrospective data of subjects' perceptions of their emergency room experience. Data were collected through taped semi-structured interviews with all the subjects during their stay on the orthopedic ward. Data were analyzed by categorizing the identified nursing care behaviours under the four dimensions of Risser's (1975) evaluative criterion. The findings indicated that subjects were able to recall satisfying or dissatisfying nursing care behaviours. They appraised and/or commented on the nursing care behaviours which met their basic physical and psychosocial needs. The nursing care behaviours related to the trusting relationship dimension were an integral component of patient satisfaction. The role of the triage nurse was significant in influencing subjects' perceptions of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with nursing care. Overall, subjects expressed satisfaction with the nursing care behaviours in each of the four dimensions. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

The diploma thesis is focused on job satisfaction of employees. The main goal was to find out the curret level of job satisfacton of employees in the language school Slůně, svět jazyků, s.r.o and sugest solutions of problematic areas. The theoretical part defines basic concepts related to the given issue and introduces factors which have influence on job satisfaction. The methodical part describes the procedures used for data gathering and their analysis. The practical part includes an analysis of the surveyed areas from the view of satisfaction and importance. Proposals of possible steps leading to the increase in job satisfaction are presented at the end of this thesis.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate whether there is any relationship between the strength of the culture in a hospital work group and the job involvement, upward striving, organizational commitment and job satisfaction of the employees within that work group. The conceptual framework for this study is the symbolic frame of reference for understanding organizational behaviour. The concept is described by Bolman and Deal (1984). Two hospitals participated in the study, which provided two data sets. Subjects were employees of certain departments within each of the hospitals. Each subject completed a four-part questionnaire. The first part collected demographic data, part two contained questions on job involvement, upward striving, and organizational commitment, part three focussed on job satisfaction, and part four was the culture strength scale. The culture strength scales were developed separately at each hospital and, therefore, contained items which were relevant to a specific facility. There were two major findings from the study. First, there is a positive relationship between job satisfaction and culture strength. Results at both hospitals were consistent in this regard. No relationships were found between job involvement, upward striving, and/or organizational commitment with culture strength. The second finding was that at the larger hospital there was a significant difference in culture strength scores among some work units, while at the smaller hospital this was not the case. This finding supports the idea that size of an organization is a factor in the predisposition to subculture formation. / Medicine, Faculty of / Population and Public Health (SPPH), School of / Graduate

The purpose of this thesis was two-fold: first, to develop a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire which reflects patient satisfaction with dressings used in the care of ulcerating metastatic skin lesions; and second, to evaluate patient satisfaction and patient preference with two types of dressings: Mesalt dressings and continuous wet saline dressings. The Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire was developed to measure patient satisfaction with dressing performance. Patients with ulcerating metastatic skin lesions were asked to identify important characteristics for evaluating patient satisfaction with dressings. These questions were validated and reviewed for clarity by the patients. A visual analogue scale was used as the response scale. Testing for reliability was limited. Mesalt dressings were compared to continuous wet saline dressings by evaluating patient satisfaction with pre-defined criteria. The criteria for evaluation included ease of application and removal, discomfort during and between dressing changes, control of odor, and patient preference. The study used a cross-over design in which each patient used one dressing for a month and the other dressing for the next month. Although 14 patients were involved in the study, only 10 were statistically analyzed. The remaining four patients were excluded because they were unable to complete a portion of each treatment. Two major findings were identified. First, regarding the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire, patients with ulcerating metastatic skin lesions had numerous ideas about what should be asked to evaluate patient satisfaction with dressings. They considered the questionnaire to be an appropriate format and the questions generated by the investigator to be both important and understandable. Second, the findings of the study indicated that the Mesalt dressings received significantly more positive ratings when compared with continuous wet saline dressings for ease of application and odor control. Mesalt dressings were also significantly preferred to continuous wet saline dressings. The knowledge gained through this study is useful when helping patients decide which dressings to use in the care of ulcerating metastatic skin lesions. The Mesalt dressing appears to be a favorable choice, particularly when ease of application and odor control is important. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

This descriptive study was designed to further the exploration of job satisfaction among hospital-employed nurses by using an established theoretical formulation of job satisfaction called the Job Characteristics Model (Hackman & Oldham, 1976) and a standardized tool called the Job Diagnostic Survey (Hackman & Oldham, 1980) to identify and measure job design variables and job satisfaction. Specific study questions guided investigation into perceptions of job characteristics and satisfactions among nurses, the relationship between job design variables and job satisfaction, and the relationship between selected nurse characteristics and job satisfaction. The study was conducted at three geographically dispersed acute care hospitals in British Columbia. A convenience sample of 96 full-time employed registered nurses completed a Nurse Characteristics Questionnaire and a Job Diagnostic Survey. Data were analyzed and compared to normative data using descriptive statistics. Sample data were further analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and the chi-square test of association. Overall, nurses perceived their jobs to be rich in terms of importance, skill variety, and human interaction; but poor in terms of autonomy and the ability to complete a whole and identifiable piece of work. Significant relationships were identified between specific job design variables and job satisfaction. Compared to other professionals, nurses were less satisfied with the autonomy and motivating potential of their job. There was little evidence to support an association between nurse characteristics and job satisfaction. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate