Satisfaction with job aspects: do patterns change over time?

Abstract

This study examines the evolution of job satisfaction in a service organization over a six-year period. The following aspects affecting job satisfaction were examined: management practices, rewards, work climate and the work itself. Data were collected from employees of the same service organization on three separate occasions (N-2001 = 297; N-2003 = 222: N-2007 = 243). The predicted model was tested using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis and a series of ANOVA was carried out to test differences regarding the job satisfaction aspects across the three waves. Results reveal the configurational invariance of satisfaction with job aspects in the three waves; satisfaction with each aspect contributes differently to the job satisfaction construct and individual evaluation of most of the aspects change across time. The main theoretical implication of this study resides in its contribution towards filling the literature gap on satisfaction with job aspects from a time perspective. The results suggest that managers should develop specific human resource practices in order to enhance different aspects of job satisfaction across time.