ENTREPRENEURIAL SATISFACTION: A TEST OF THE JOB CHARACTERISTICS MODEL
Leon
Schjoedt, University of Colorado-Boulder
Thomas J. Dean, University of Colorado-Boulder
Principal Topic
In the literature, it has been suggested that job satisfaction is a fundamental measure of performance for entrepreneurs. One of the primary reasons individuals pursue entrepreneurial endeavors is to change their work situation, and/or escape dissatisfying jobs. Thus, there is the expectation among entrepreneurs (which is corroborated by anecdotal evidence) that their entrepreneurial work will be more satisfying. The possibility for this outcome has been confirmed in the satisfaction literature, as research suggests that the characteristics of jobs effect an individual’s job satisfaction. However, little research exists to determine whether 1) entrepreneurs are actually more satisfied with their work, or 2) whether the job characteristics of entrepreneurs’ work impact satisfaction in the same manner as non-entrepreneurs. Utilizing the job characteristics model (JCM), this study examines the extent to which entrepreneurs’ job satisfaction differs from that of non-founders, and whether the job characteristics that influence job satisfaction differs for entrepreneurs relative to non-entrepreneurs. Thus, we investigate the antecedents to job satisfaction for entrepreneurs relative to that of non-founder CEOs.
Method
A survey was mailed to 203 business founders and 203 CEOs of private companies listed in the Rocky Mountain High Technology Directory. Seventy-nine complete surveys were returned yielding an effective response rate of 21 percent. The survey was developed based on established measures such as the Job Characteristics Inventory, two single-item job satisfaction measures, and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, as well as demographic items.
Results and Implications
Contrary to anecdotal evidence, this study does not confirm the expectation that entrepreneurs are more job-satisfied than non-founder CEOs. The empirical findings indicate no significant difference between entrepreneurs and CEOs on three different measures of job satisfaction. The correlational results show that all the relationships between job characteristics and job satisfaction are significant for entrepreneurs but not for CEOs. Further, job characteristics explained 38 to 43 percent of the variance in job satisfaction for entrepreneurs. Most importantly, the results indicate that the job characteristics model applies to entrepreneurs and that entrepreneurs’ job characteristics explain their level of job satisfaction. Finding that the JCM applies to entrepreneurs, renders external validity to the JCM and increases our understanding of what influences entrepreneurs’ job satisfaction. This knowledge and the existing literature provide opportunities to limit low job satisfaction and its negative effects (withdrawal cognitions, turnover intentions, and actual turnover) through job enrichment.
CONTACT: Leon Schjoedt, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0419; (T) 303-492-1175; (F) 303-492-5962; leon.Schjoedt@colorado.edu
2002 Babson College. All Rights Reserved. Last Updated March 2003.