exploring the relationship between career anchors, job satisfaction and organisational commitment

251 Pages·2010·1.16 MB·English

by  Liz Lumley

EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAREER ANCHORS,
JOB SATISFACTION AND ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT.

by

ELIZABETH JEAN LUMLEY

submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF COMMERCE

in the subject

INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANISATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

at the

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

SUPERVISOR: PROF M COETZEE
CO-SUPERVISOR: MRS R T TLADINYANE

NOVEMBER 2009
DECLARATION

I, ELIZABETH JEAN LUMLEY, student number 30810086, declare that this dissertation
entitled, “Exploring the relationship between career anchors, job satisfaction and
organisational commitment”, is my own work, and that all the sources that I have used or
quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references.

_____________________________
ELIZABETH JEAN LUMLEY

30 NOVEMBER 2009
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my gratitude to:

• Professor Melinde Coetzee and Mrs Rebecca Tladinyane, who provided invaluable
guidance, advice and encouragement in the completion of this study.

• The management and staff of the various organisations providing the population.
Without their support and participation this research project would not have been
possible.

• Joanne Rushby for providing dedicated time to assist with language editing and
proofreading.

• Darrel Phillips for so willing assisting with formatting and layout.

• My husband Jonathan, for sacrificing many hours of family time and for your
understanding, caring and loving support throughout this research project. The
completion of this research project definitely would not have been possible without
your amazing patience.

• My daughter, Alison, for making life so rewarding and worthwhile. Thank you my
precious little girl for your unconditional love. My son, Michael, for being with me
throughout the journey of this dissertation. I am blessed to have you both in my life.

• My family and friends for their encouragement and support.
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SUMMARY

EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAREER ANCHORS, JOB
SATISFACTION AND ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT.
by
ELIZABETH JEAN LUMLEY

SUPERVISOR : Prof M Coetzee
CO-SUPERVISOR : Mrs R T Tladinyane
DEPARTMENT : Industrial and Organisational Psychology
DEGREE : MCom (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The primary objective of the study was to explore the relationship between career anchors,
job satisfaction and organisational commitment using a sample of 86 employees at four
Information Technology companies in South Africa. A secondary objective was to determine
whether individuals from various gender, race, position and age groups differed significantly
regarding their career anchors, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. The
instruments used were the Career Orientations Inventory (COI), Job Satisfaction Survey
(JSS) and Organisational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ).

The research findings indicated that career anchors are partially related to participants’ job
satisfaction and organisational commitment and participants’ levels of job satisfaction and
organisational commitment are significantly related. The findings also showed that
demographic groups differ significantly regarding their career anchors, job satisfaction and
organisational commitment. It is recommended that interventions aimed at improving
individual career decision making and organisational retention practices take cognisance of
how these variables relate to individuals’ career anchors, job satisfaction and organisational
commitment. The study is concluded with recommendations for Industrial and
Organisational Psychology practices and further research.

KEY TERMS
Career anchors, career decision making, career orientation, employee motivation, job
satisfaction, life/career stage development, organisational commitment, retention strategies.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ................................................................................................................. ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................. iii
SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................... v

CHAPTER 1 ........................................................................................................................ 1
SCIENTIFIC ORIENTATION TO THE RESEARCH ............................................................. 1
1.1 BACKGROUND AND MOTIVATION FOR THIS STUDY ......................................... 1
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT ......................................................................................... 4
1.2.1 Research questions with regard to literature review ........................................... 4
1.2.2 Research questions with regard to the empirical study ...................................... 5
1.3 AIMS ........................................................................................................................ 5
1.3.1 General aim of the research .................................................................................. 6
1.3.2 Specific aims of the research ................................................................................ 6
1.3.2.1 Literature review .................................................................................................. 6
1.3.2.2 Empirical study .................................................................................................... 7
1.4 THE PARADIGM PERSPECTIVE OF THE STUDY ................................................. 7
1.4.1 The relevant paradigms ......................................................................................... 7
1.4.1.1 Humanistic-existential paradigm .......................................................................... 7
1.4.1.2 Functionalistic paradigm ...................................................................................... 8
1.4.2 The market of intellectual resources .................................................................... 9
1.4.2.1 Meta-theoretical statements ................................................................................. 9
1.4.2.2 Theoretical models ............................................................................................. 11
1.4.2.3 Conceptual descriptions ..................................................................................... 12
1.4.2.4 The central hypothesis ....................................................................................... 13
1.5 RESEARCH DESIGN ............................................................................................ 13
1.5.1 Research variables ............................................................................................... 13
1.5.2 Type of research .................................................................................................. 13
1.5.3 Methods used to ensure reliability and validity ................................................. 14
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1.5.3.1 Validity ............................................................................................................... 14
1.5.3.2 Reliability ........................................................................................................... 14
1.5.4 Unit of study ......................................................................................................... 15
1.6 RESEARCH METHOD ........................................................................................... 15
1.7 CHAPTER LAYOUT .............................................................................................. 20
1.8 CHAPTER SUMMARY .......................................................................................... 21
CHAPTER 2 ...................................................................................................................... 22
CAREER ANCHORS ......................................................................................................... 22
2.1 PARADIGMATIC AND CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS ...................................... 22
2.1.1 Paradigmatic foundation: Career Psychology ................................................... 22
2.1.2 Conceptual foundations ...................................................................................... 23
2.1.2.1 Career ................................................................................................................ 23
2.1.2.2 Career success .................................................................................................. 25
2.1.2.3 Career decision making ..................................................................................... 26
2.1.2.4 Career competencies ......................................................................................... 27
2.1.2.5 Career maturity .................................................................................................. 28
2.1.2.6 Career self-efficacy ............................................................................................ 28
2.1.2.7 Career development .......................................................................................... 28
2.1.2.8 Career orientations ............................................................................................ 29
2.2 THEORETICAL MODELS OF CAREER DECISION MAKING............................... 29
2.2.1 Super’s development theory of life stages ......................................................... 30
2.2.1.1 Growth (Between ages 4 – 14)........................................................................... 30
2.2.1.2 Exploration (Ages 14 – 25) ................................................................................. 31
2.2.1.3 Establishment (Ages 25 - 45) ............................................................................. 31
2.2.1.4 Maintenance (Ages 45 - 65) ............................................................................... 31
2.2.1.5 Disengagement (Ages 65 and over) ................................................................... 31
2.2.2 Schein’s major stages of the career ................................................................... 32
2.2.3 Schein’s career anchor model ............................................................................. 35
2.2.3.1 The career anchor concept ................................................................................ 35
2.2.3.2 Types of career anchors .................................................................................... 37
2.2.3.3 Multiple career anchors ...................................................................................... 42
2.2.3.4 Practical implications of career anchors ............................................................. 43
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2.2.4 Integration of theoretical models ........................................................................ 49
2.3 VARIABLES INFLUENCING CAREER DECISION MAKING ................................ 52
2.3.1 Biographical influences ....................................................................................... 52
2.3.2 Cultural and environmental influences ............................................................... 53
2.4 CHAPTER SUMMARY .......................................................................................... 54
CHAPTER 3 ...................................................................................................................... 55
JOB SATISFACTION ........................................................................................................ 55
3.1 PARADIGMATIC AND CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF JOB
SATISFACTION ..................................................................................................... 55
3.1.1 Paradigmatic foundation: Personnel Psychology ............................................. 55
3.1.1.1 Classical era ...................................................................................................... 55
3.1.1.2 Behavioural era .................................................................................................. 56
3.1.1.3 Contemporary era .............................................................................................. 56
3.1.2 Conceptual foundations: Job Satisfaction ......................................................... 56
3.1.2.1 Job satisfaction .................................................................................................. 57
3.1.2.2 Work motivation ................................................................................................. 58
3.1.2.3 Job characteristics ............................................................................................. 58
3.1.2.4 Job role .............................................................................................................. 59
3.2 THEORETICAL MODELS OF MOTIVATION ......................................................... 59
3.2.1 Content theories ................................................................................................... 60
3.2.1.1 Maslow’s need hierarchy.................................................................................... 60
3.2.1.2 Herzberg’s two-factor theory .............................................................................. 61
3.2.1.3 Alderfer’s ERG Theory ....................................................................................... 61
3.2.1.4 McClelland’s learned needs theory .................................................................... 62
3.2.2 Process theories .................................................................................................. 63
3.2.2.1 Vroom’s expectancy theory ................................................................................ 63
3.2.2.2 Equity theory ...................................................................................................... 65
3.2.2.3 Goal setting theory ............................................................................................. 67
3.2.3 Integration of theoretical models ........................................................................ 68
3.3 ANTECEDENTS OF JOB SATISFACTION ........................................................... 69
3.3.1 Organisational factors ......................................................................................... 69
3.3.1.1 Pay .................................................................................................................... 70
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3.3.1.2 Promotion .......................................................................................................... 71
3.3.1.3 Supervision ........................................................................................................ 71
3.3.1.4 Fringe benefits ................................................................................................... 71
3.3.1.5 Contingent rewards ............................................................................................ 71
3.3.1.6 Operating conditions .......................................................................................... 72
3.3.1.7 Co-workers ........................................................................................................ 72
3.3.1.8 Nature of work ................................................................................................... 72
3.3.1.9 Communication .................................................................................................. 73
3.3.2 Biographical factors ............................................................................................. 73
3.3.2.1 Personality ......................................................................................................... 74
3.3.2.2 Gender ............................................................................................................... 74
3.3.2.3 Age .................................................................................................................... 74
3.3.2.4 Tenure ............................................................................................................... 75
3.3.2.5 Race .................................................................................................................. 75
3.4 CONSEQUENCES OF JOB SATISFACTION ........................................................ 75
3.4.1 Job satisfaction and productivity ....................................................................... 75
3.4.2 Job satisfaction and turnover ............................................................................. 76
3.4.3 Job satisfaction and absence.............................................................................. 76
3.4.4 Job and life satisfaction ....................................................................................... 77
3.4.5 Implications for career decision making and retention ..................................... 78
3.5 CHAPTER SUMMARY .......................................................................................... 79
CHAPTER 4 ...................................................................................................................... 80
ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT ................................................................................. 80
4.1 PARADIGMATIC AND CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF ORGANISATIONAL
COMMITMENT ...................................................................................................... 80
4.1.1 Paradigmatic foundation: Organisational Psychology ...................................... 80
4.1.2 Conceptual foundations ...................................................................................... 81
4.1.2.1 Organisational commitment ............................................................................... 81
4.1.2.2 Job satisfaction .................................................................................................. 84
4.1.2.3 Job involvement ................................................................................................. 84
4.1.2.4 Career salience .................................................................................................. 84
4.1.2.5 Occupational commitment .................................................................................. 85
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4.1.2.6 Turnover intention .............................................................................................. 85
4.2 APPROACHES TO ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT ...................................... 85
4.2.1 Attitudinal approach ............................................................................................ 86
4.2.2 Behavioural approach .......................................................................................... 87
4.2.3 Motivational approach ......................................................................................... 87
4.2.4 Multidimensional approach ................................................................................. 88
4.3 ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT MODELS ..................................................... 89
4.3.1 O’Reilly and Chatman’s model ............................................................................ 90
4.3.2 Meyer and Allen’s three-component model ........................................................ 91
4.3.2.1 Affective commitment ......................................................................................... 91
4.3.2.2 Continuance commitment .................................................................................. 91
4.3.2.3 Normative commitment ...................................................................................... 92
4.4 FOCI OF ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT ...................................................... 92
4.4.1 Behavioural focus on organisational commitment ............................................ 93
4.4.2 Entity focus on organisational commitment ...................................................... 94
4.4.3 Mindsets of organisational commitment ............................................................ 95
4.5 DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT .................................... 96
4.5.1 Development of affective commitment ............................................................... 98
4.5.1.1 Personal characteristics ..................................................................................... 99
4.5.1.2 Work experiences .............................................................................................. 99
4.5.1.3 Structural characteristics .................................................................................. 100
4.5.2 Development of continuance commitment ....................................................... 100
4.5.2.1 Investments ..................................................................................................... 101
4.5.2.2 Perceived alternatives ...................................................................................... 101
4.5.3 Development of normative commitment........................................................... 102
4.6 CONSEQUENCES OF ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT .............................. 103
4.6.1 Employee retention ............................................................................................ 104
4.6.2 Performance at work .......................................................................................... 105
4.6.3 Citizenship behaviour at work ........................................................................... 106
4.6.4 Employee well-being .......................................................................................... 106
4.6.5 Other reactions to work ..................................................................................... 107
4.7 AN INTEGRATED MODEL OF ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT .................. 108
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4.8 THEORECTICAL INTEGRATION OF CAREER ANCHORS, JOB SATISFACTION
AND ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT ........................................................... 110
4.8.1 Chapter 2: Career Anchors ................................................................................ 110
4.8.2 Chapter 3: Job satisfaction ............................................................................... 111
4.8.3 Chapter 4: Organisational commitment ............................................................ 112
4.8.4 Variables related to career anchors, job satisfaction and organisational
commitment ........................................................................................................ 114
4.8.4.1 Age .................................................................................................................. 114
4.8.4.2 Gender ............................................................................................................. 114
4.8.4.3 Race ................................................................................................................ 114
4.8.4.4 Marital status ................................................................................................... 115
4.8.4.5 Position ............................................................................................................ 115
4.8.4.6 Years of working experience ............................................................................ 115
4.8.5 Implications from both organisational and individual perspectives of career
decision making and retention .......................................................................... 116
CHAPTER 5 .................................................................................................................... 119
EMPIRICAL STUDY ........................................................................................................ 119
5.1 DETERMINATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SAMPLE ................................ 119
5.1.1 Composition of gender groups in the sample .................................................. 121
5.1.2 Composition of race groups in the sample ...................................................... 122
5.1.3 Composition of position groups in the sample ................................................ 123
5.1.4 Composition of age groups in the sample ....................................................... 124
5.1.5 Composition of marital status groups in the sample....................................... 126
5.1.6 Summary of frequency distribution tables of biographical profile of the
sample ................................................................................................................. 127
5.2 CHOOSING AND MOTIVATING THE PSYCHOMETRIC BATTERY ................... 129
5.2.1 Career Orientations Inventory (COI) ................................................................. 129
5.2.1.1 Development of COI ........................................................................................ 130
5.2.1.2 Rationale of the COI ........................................................................................ 130
5.2.1.3 Description of the COI scales ........................................................................... 131
5.2.1.4 Administration of the COI ................................................................................. 132
5.2.1.5 Interpretation of the COI................................................................................... 133
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