Job satisfaction among university academics: Do academic rank and age make a difference?

The principal objectives of the present study were threefold-to examine the possible significant group differences in job satisfaction based on age and academic rank; to examine the extent to which university academics were satisfied with their job; and more importantly, to further validate the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) among university academics in Tanzania. The study was quantitatively driven with a cross-sectional survey design in which the MSQ along with a demographic information questionnaire was administered to a convenient sample (N = 411) drawn from a total of four universities (i.e. two public and two private universities) in Tanzania. Both Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed to examine the factor structure and reliabilities respectively. Additionally, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine whether or not demographics had any difference in academics' job satisfaction. Three key findings were established as a result of the current study. First, good psychometrics for the MSQ were obtained confirming a two-factor model with the best absolute fit indices. Second, academics were moderately satisfied with their job. Third, the two demographic variables (i.e. age and academic rank) examined, had a significant difference in job satisfaction. This study highlights some areas the university management and policy-makers of the higher education institutions can examine more closely and develop innovative approaches to enhance the job satisfaction of the university lecturers.