Gender and job satisfaction in a self-managed work team environment

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of job satisfaction for women and men working in self-managed work teams. The data used are from a 1990 survey sample of 99 production employees in an electronics manufacturing plant. A model that integrates past theories using factors from job design, interpersonal and personal levels is tested. Workers' positions in the organizational hierarchy were controlled in order to clarify gender differences in predictors of job satisfaction. The model explained 67% of the variance for men and 55% of the variance for women. Women and men were found to have two predictors in common: Cooperation and commitment. Additionally, women's job satisfaction was affected by task significance and task identity. Men's job satisfaction was also affected by role clarity and skill variety.