Concept of Job Satisfaction

Job satisfaction is a psychological aspect. It is an expression of feeling about

the job. Job satisfaction is an attitude. It is a permanent impression formed
about the job. Employees interact with people and other resources while
working with the job. In the process, they experience positive or negative
feelings about the job context and content. The concept of job satisfaction
has gained importance ever since the human relations approach has become
popular.
Job satisfaction is an intangible variable. It consists of a complex number of
variables, conditions, feelings and behavioural tendencies. Roberts
Dictionary of Industrial Relations defined job satisfaction as those outward
or inner manifestations which give the individual a sense of enjoyment or
accomplishment in the performance of his work. According to Locke, job
satisfaction is a pleasurable or positive emotional state
resulting from the appraisal of one’s job or job experience. Andrew Brin
stated Job satisfaction as the amount of pleasure or contentment associated
with a job. Further, he stated that if one likes a job intensely he will
experience high job satisfaction and if he dislikes the job intensely he will
experience job dissatisfaction.

The characteristics of job satisfaction are :

· Job satisfaction is an inner feeling. It can be inferred through the
expression of behaviour.
· Job satisfaction is an attitude. It is a sub set of attitude.
· Job satisfaction influences the skill and energy of individual.
· It can be positive or negative. It is expressed in a high or low degree.
· Job satisfaction is associated with the emotional state of human mind.

DETERMINANTS OF JOB SATISFACTION

Job satisfaction is intangible and it is multi-variable. A number of factors
influence job satisfaction of employees. They can be classified into two
categories. They are organisational and personal variables. They are
discussed below:
Organisational Determinants
Employees spend most of the time in organisations. Therefore, a number of
organisational factors determine job satisfaction of the employees.
Organisations can increase job satisfaction by organising and managing the
organisational factors. Let us learn the organisation determinants of job
satisfaction.
i)Wages: Wage is the amount of reward worker expects from the job. It is an
instrument of fulfilling the needs. Every one expects to get a produces job
commensurate reward. The wage should be fair, reasonable and equitable. A
feeling of fair and equitable reward satisfaction.
ii) Nature of Work: The nature of work has significant impact on the job
satisfaction. Jobs involving intelligence, skills, abilities, challenges and
scope for greater freedom make the employee satisfied on the job. A feeling
of boredom, poor variety of tasks, frustration and failure leads to job
dissatisfaction.
iii) Working Conditions: Good workings conditions are needed to motivate
the employees. They
provide a feeling of safety, comfort and motivation. Poor working conditions
give a feeling that health is in danger.
iv) Job Content: Job content refers to the factors such as recognition,
responsibility, advancement, achievement etc. Jobs involving variety of
tasks and less repetitive result in greater job satisfaction. A job, having poor
content produces job dissatisfaction.
v) Organisational Level: Higher level jobs are viewed as prestigious,
esteemed and opportunity for self-control. Employees working at higher
level jobs express greater job satisfaction than the lower level jobs.
vi) Opportunities for Promotion: Promotion is an achievement in the life.
Promotion gives more pay, responsibility, authority, independence and
status. Therefore, opportunities for promotion determine the degree of
satisfaction to the employees.
vii) Work Group: Existence of groups in organisations is a common
phenomenon. It is a natural desire of human beings to interact with others.
This characteristic results in formation of work groups at the work place.
Isolated workers dislike their jobs. The work group exerts a tremendous
influence on the satisfaction of employees. Satisfaction of an individual
depends largely on the relationship with the group members, group
dynamics, group cohesiveness and his own need for affiliation.
viii) Leadership Styles: Leadership style also determines the satisfaction
level on the job. Democratic leadership style enhances job satisfaction.
Democratic leaders promote friendship, respect and warmth relationships
among the employees. On the other hand, employees working under
authoritarian leaders express low level of job satisfaction.
Personal Determinants
Job satisfaction relates to the psychological factors. Therefore, a number of
personal factors determine the job satisfaction of the employees. They are
mentioned below:
i) Personality: Individual psychological conditions determine the
personality. Factors like perception, attitudes and learning determine the
psychological conditions. Therefore, these factors determine the satisfaction
of individuals.
ii) Age: Age is a significant determinant of job satisfaction. Younger age
employees possessing higher energy levels are likely to feel more satisfied.
As employees grow older, aspiration levels increase. If they are unable to
find their aspiration fulfilled, they feel dissatisfied.
iii) Education: Education provides an opportunity for developing one’s
personality. It enhances
individual wisdom and evaluation process. Highly educated employees
possess persistence, rationality and thinking power. Therefore, they can
understand the situation and appraise it positively.
iv) Gender Differences: The gender and race of the employees determine
Job satisfaction. Women are more likely to be satisfied than their counterpart
even if they are employed in small jobs.

Profile of Shakthi Tech

Shakthi Tech is the major exporter of Pumps, Aerospace Components and

Castings Materials. Started 5 years back, the company has seen a major dent
in its growth. Shakthi Tech has been awarded the best exporter in SME
sector for the year 2009-2010 and also has been accredited with ISO
9001:2008. The organization is situated at Vadavalli, employing more than
80 employees and having a turnover of more than 2 crores. The
organizations major product is pump manufacturing and their major global
markets are USA, Germany, Canada, Belgium and Italy. Their Domestic
market glows in Madras, Coimbatore and Pondicherry.
 To make its presence more visible, the organization has a recent joint
venture with a leading pump manufacturer in Italy named Kadopi. The
organization will be named as Shakthi-Kadopi and the products will be
named after it.
Since the organization has more than 60 employees, 1crore turnover
and 6 departments, the need for SAP B1 was very important because
delivery of products on time, maintaining quality and inventory, cash
management were the important aspects.
The Departments involved are:
1. Administration (Top Management CEO and MD)
2. Financials
3. Sales and Marketing
4. Production and Development
5. Quality
6. Purchases and Inventory

Shakthi Tech is basically an export organization. The company has an

existence from 1998 till date. We are major exporters of castings and
machined parts for pumps and aerospace components.
Our organization is situated at Coimbatore City. We have our presence in
other countries too in form of Mergers & Acquisitions.
For good export procedure and better quality of product the organization has
been awarded an ISO 9001:2008 and also been accredited as the best
exporter of the year 2009-2010.
We have both domestic and global presence. There are various departments
in the organization.
1. Administration
2. Finance
3. Sales & Marketing
4. Purchases
5. Inventory Management
6. Quality
7. Production
8. Development

There are about 70-80 employees working for the organization in various
shifts.
Our major process is to make castings and machining based upon the
customer’s request.
General Working:
1. We get the customers request for machining parts
2. We select the foundry and prepare the castings
3. We then develop the machining and create a sample piece
4. The sample piece is tested for quality and any non-conformities are found
and corrected.
5. Sample is sent to customers for approval and on approval the mass
production is sent and above procedures are continued.
6. The finished goods are exported and payment is received.

QUESTIONNAIRE
1) AGE :

2) GENDER : (a) Male (b) Female

3) MARTIAL STATUS : (a) Married (b) Unmarried

4) Do you feel that your job suits your educational qualification?

(a) Yes (b) No

5) Are you paid with a performance linked salary?

(a) Yes (b) No

6) Are you satisfied with your pay package?

(a) Highly satisfied (b) Satisfied

(c) Dissatisfied (d) Highly Dissatisfied

7) What is your level of satisfaction regarding supervisor – subordinate relationship?

(a) Highly satisfied (b) Satisfied

(c) Dissatisfied (d) Highly Dissatisfied
8) Do you face any stress in your job?

(a) Yes (b) No

9) What is your level of satisfaction regarding the work environment?

(a) Highly satisfied (b) Satisfied

(c) Dissatisfied (d) Highly Dissatisfied

10) Does the company provide you flexible working hours?

(a) Yes (b) No

11) Are the benefits that your company is extending to you is sufficient?

(a) Fully Sufficient (b) Sufficient

(c) In Sufficient
12) How do you view this job?

(a) Challenging (b) Responsible

(c) Motivating (d) Secured

13) Are you satisfied with the present position in your company?

(a) Highly satisfied (b) Satisfied

(c) Dissatisfied (d) Highly Dissatisfied

14) Is there any opportunity for you to use new technology?

(a) Yes (b) No

15) Do you feel that the employees are recognized as individuals?

(a) Yes (b) No

16) Whether the company clearly communicates its goals and strategies to you?

(a) Yes (b) No

17) How satisfied are you with your team-spirit in your work environment?

(a) Highly satisfied (b) Satisfied

(c) Dissatisfied (d) Highly Dissatisfied

18) How satisfied are you with your overall job security?
 (a) Highly satisfied (b) Satisfied
(c) Dissatisfied (d) Highly Dissatisfied

19) “Rank the following attributes of job satisfaction”

 Work Environment
 Job Security
 Salary
 Superior – Subordinate relationship

20) How do you evaluate the overall satisfaction with your job?

(a) Highly satisfied (b) Satisfied

(c) Dissatisfied (d) Highly Dissatisfied

21) My manager/supervisor clearly communicates what is expected of me.

(a) Highly satisfied (b) Satisfied
(c) Dissatisfied (d) Highly Dissatisfied

22) My manager/supervisor provides me with continuous feedback to help me

achieve
(a) Highly satisfied (b) Satisfied
(c) Dissatisfied (d) Highly Dissatisfied

23) Any further suggestions that you would like to put forward?