Different Forms of Work Satisfaction
Abstract
The extended model of different forms of work satisfaction (Büssing, 1991), originally proposed by Bruggemann (1974), is suggested as a distinctive qualitative approach to work satisfaction. Six forms of work satisfaction—progressive, stabilized, resigned satisfaction, constructive, fixated, resigned dissatisfaction—are derived from the constellation of four constituent variables: comparison of the actual work situation and personal aspirations, global satisfaction, changes in level of aspiration, controllability at work. Preliminary evidence from semi-structured interviews with 46 nurses shows that the dynamic model is headed in the right direction (qualitative differentiation of consistently high propertions of satisfied employees, uncovering processes of person-work situation interaction). Qualitative methods demonstrated their usefulness in accessing underlying cognitive and evaluative processes of the forms, which are often neglected by traditional attitude-based satisfaction research.
References
References
Adams, J.S. (1963). Toward an understanding of inequity. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67, 422– 436Arvey, R.D. Carter, G.W. Buerkley, D.K. (1991). Job satisfaction: Dispositional and situational influences. In C.L. Cooper & I.T. Robertson (Eds.), International review of industrial and organizational psychology (Vol. 6, pp. 359—384). Chichester: WileyBruggemann, A. (1974). Zur Unterscheidung verschiedener Formen von “Arbeitszufriedenheit” [The differentiation of different forms of “work satisfaction”]. Arbeit und Leistung, 28, 281– 284Bruggemann, A. (1976). Zur empirischen Untersuchung verschiedener Formen der Arbeitszufriedenheit [An empirical investigation of different forms of work satisfaction]. Zeitschrift für Arbeitswissenschaft, 30, 71– 74Büssing, A. (1991). Struktur und Dynamik von Arbeitszufriedenheit: Konzeptuelle und methodische Überlegungen zu einer Untersuchung verschiedener Formen von Arbeitszufriedenheit [Structure and dynamics of work satisfaction: Conceptual and methodical reflections for investigating different forms of work satisfaction]. In L. Fischer (Ed.), Arbeitszufriedenheit [Work satisfaction] (pp. 85—114). Göttingen: HogrefeBüssing, A. (1992). A dynamic view of job satisfaction in psychiatric nurses in Germany. Work & Stress, 6, 239– 259Büssing, A. (1995). Work and leisure: A study of subjective concepts in health care. In M. Hagberg, F. Hofmann, U. Stössel, & G. Westlander (Eds.), Occupational health for health care workers (pp. 22—28). Landberg: EcomedBüssing, A. (1996a). Motivation and satisfaction. In M. Warner (Ed.), International encyclopedia of business and management (Vol. 4, pp. 3548—3559). London: Thomson Business PressBüssing, A. (1996b). Zur Rolle von Tätigkeitsspielräumen und Kontrolle am Arbeitsplatz für die Gesundheitsförderung [The role of activity latitudes and control at the workplace for health promotion]. In U. Brandenburg, K. Kuhn, B. Marschall, & C. Verkoyen (Eds.), Gesundheitsförderung im Betrieb [Health promotion in the company] (pp. 53—77). Bremerhaven: Wirtschaftsverlag NWCannell, C.F. Kahn, R.L. (1968). Interviewing. In G. Lindzey & E. Aronsson (Eds.), The handbook of social psychology (pp. 526—595). Reading, MA: Addison-WesleyCranny, C.J. Smith, P.C. Stone, E.F. (1992). Job satisfaction: How people feel about their jobs and how it affects their performance . New York: LexingtonEdwards, J.R. (1996). An examination of competing versions of the person-environment fit approach to stress. Academy of Management Journal, 39, 292– 339Emmons, R.A. (1996). Striving and feeling: Personal goals and subjective well-being. In J.A. Bargh & P.M. Gollwitzer (Eds.), The psychology of action: Linking motivation to cognition and behavior (pp. 313—337). New York: GuilfordFrese, M. Zapf, D. (1994). Action as the core of work psychology: A German approach. In H.C. Triandis, M.D. Dunnette, & L.M. Hough (Eds.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (Vol. 4, pp. 271—340). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists PressGanster, D.C. Fusilier, M.R. (1989). Control in the workplace. In C.L. Cooper & I. Robertson (Eds.), International review of industrial and organizational psychology (pp. 235—280). Chichester: WileyGuion, R.M. (1992). Agenda for research and action in job satisfaction. In C.J. Cranny, P.C. Smith, & E.F. Stone (Eds.), Job satisfaction: How people feel about their jobs and how it affects their performance (pp. 257—281). New York: LexingtonHacker, W. (1986). Arbeitspsychologie. Psychische Regulation von Arbeitstäatigkeiten [Work psychology. Psychological regulation of work tasks]. Bern: HuberHackman, J.R. (1970). Tasks and task performance in research on stress.. In J.E. McGrath (Ed.), Social and psychological factors in stress (pp. 202—237). New York: Holt, Rinehart & WinstonIaffaldano, M.T. Muchinsky, P.M. (1985). Job satisfaction and job performance: A meta analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 97, 251– 273Katzell, R.A. Thompson, D.E. Guzzo, R.A. (1992). How job satisfaction and job performance are and are not linked. In C.J. Cranny, P.C. Smith, & E.F. Stone (Eds.), Job satisfaction: How people feel about their jobs and how it affects their performance (pp. 195—217). New York: LexingtonKohn, M.L. Schooler, C. (1973). Occupational experience and psychological functioning: An assessment of reciprocal effects. American Sociological Review, 38, 97– 118Lewin, K. Dembo, T. Festinger, L. Sears, P.S. (1944). Level of aspiration.. In J. McHunt (Ed.), Personality and the behavior disorders (Vol. 1, pp. 333—378). New York: Ronald PressLocke, E.A. (1976). The nature and causes of job satisfaction.. In M.D. Dunnette (Ed.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (pp. 1297—1351). New York: WileyMahoney, T.A. (1988). Productivity defined: The relativity of efficiency, effectiveness and change. In J.P. Campbell, & R.J. Campbell (Eds.), Productivity in organizations (pp. 13—37). San Francisco: Jossey BassMiles, M.B. Huberman, A.M. (1984). Qualitative data analysis. . Beverly Hills, CA: SageMiller, K.I. Monge, P.R. (1986). Participation, satisfaction, and productivity: a meta-analytic review. Academy of Management Journal, 29, 727– 753Necowitz, L.B. Roznowski, M. (1994). Negative affectivity and job satisfaction—cognitive processes underlying the relationship and effects on employee behaviors. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45, 3 270– 294Neuberger, O. (1976). Der Arbeitsbeschreibungsbogen. Ein Verfahren zur Messung von Arbeitszufriedenheit [The job description questionnaire. A method for measuring job satisfaction]. Problem und Entscheidung, 15, 1– 129Nord, W.R. (1977). Job satisfaction reconsidered. American Psychologist, 32, 1026– 1035Porter, L.W. Lawler, E.E. (1969). Managerial attitudes and performance . Homewood: IrwinRossi, P.H. Wright, J.D. Anderson, A.B. (1983). Handbook of survey research . New York: Academic PressSauter, S.L. Hurrell, J.J. Cooper, C.L. (1989). Job control and worker health . Chichester: WileySchneider, J. (1976). The “greener grass” phenomenon: Differential effects of a work context alternative on organizational participation and withdrawal intentions. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 116, 303– 333Schneider, B. Gunnarson, G.K. Wheeler, J.K. (1992). The role of opportunity in the conceptualization and measurement of job satisfaction. In C.J. Cranny, P.C. Smith, & E.F. Stone (Eds.). Job satisfaction: How people feel about their jobs and how it affects their performance (pp. 165—194). New York: LexingtonSchwab, D.P. Cummings, L.L. (1970). Theories of performance and satisfaction. Industrial Relations, 9, 408– 430Seashore, S.E. Taber, T.D. (1975). Job satisfaction indicators and their correlates. American Behavioral Scientist, 18, 333– 368Semmer, N. Schallberger, U. (1996). Selection, socialisation, and mutual adaptation: Resolving discrepancies between people and work. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 45, 263– 288Smith, P.C. Kendall, L.M. Hulin, C.L. (1969). The measurement of satisfaction in work and retirement . Chicago: Rand McNallyStaw, B.W. (1984). Organizational behavior: A review and reformulation of the field's outcome variables. Annual Review of Psychology, 35, 627– 666Staw, B.M. Ross, J. (1985). Stability in the midst of change: A dispositional approach to job attitudes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 70, 469– 480Szilagyi, A.D. Wallace, M.J. (1983). Organizational behavior and performance . Glenview, IL: Scott & CoWall, T.D. Jackson, P.R. Mullarkey, S. (1995). Further evidence on some new measures of job control, cognitive demand and production responsibility. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 16, 5 431– 456Weaver, Ch.V. (1980). Job satisfaction in the United States in the 1970s. Journal of Applied Psychology, 65, 364– 367
