Satisfied Faculty? : Identification of Factors Influencing Faculty Job Satisfaction

Abstract

In the last decade, faculty at universities have been faced with increased pressures for accountability and assessment, while trying to balance primary roles in teaching, research, and service. Occupational satisfaction depends on the relationship between work goals and rewards or prospects in the academic environment. Extrinsic rewards, such as working conditions, salary, promotion policies, and collegial relationships are important measures. This study explores job satisfaction at a Master II level university in the Midwest. <p>To research faculty satisfaction a study sample of 168 faculty survey responses was used to test significance of multiple factors in the construct of job satisfaction, building on the the theories and elements of work done by Oshagbemi (2003). A series of models, testing predictability of variables and correlations to overall job satisfaction, were developed. Results showed that seven of sixteen independent variables correlated with faculty job satisfaction. Correlations are positive and significant for salary, academic reputation, research, service, promotion, collegiality, and management. This suggests that faculty satisfied with each of these factors is more likely to report overall job satisfaction. Compared to males, females are slightly less likely to be satisfied. Results imply that in addition to salary, management in units and departments correlate with faculty satisfaction. Physical work environment also correlated with overall job satisfaction in all the models to a lesser degree. The study further builds on existing theories and supports increased understanding of the factors influencing faculty job satisfaction.