JOB-PERCEPTION JOB-SATISFACTION RELATIONS - AN EMPIRICAL-COMPARISON OF 3 COMPETING THEORIES

Alternative conceptions of the relationship between job perceptions and job satisfaction were tested using survey responses from 450 engineers. One model, based on Job Characteristics Theory (JCT) (e.g., Hackman and Lawler, 1971), predicted that job perceptions lead to job satisfaction (JP → Sat). A second model, based on Social Information Processing (SIP) theory (e.g., Salancik and Pfeffer, 1978) and Zajonc′s (1980) theory, predicted that job satisfaction leads to job perceptions (Sat → JP). A third model, which specified a reciprocal relationship between perceptions and satisfaction (JP ↔ Sat), was developed based on James′ theory (e.g., James, Hater, Gent, and Bruni, 1978). Supervisors′ ratings of departmental characteristics were used as contextual variables along with individual difference measures as antecedents of job perceptions and job satisfaction. Model contrasts performed using LISREL VII yielded clear support for the reciprocal model based on James′ theory, in contrast to the unidirectional models based on JCT and on SIP and Zajonc′s theory. The magnitudes of the two reciprocal paths linking job perceptions and job satisfaction did not differ significantly. Directions for future research and application were offered. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc.