Bowen, P; Cattell, K; Michell, K and Edwards, P (2008) Job satisfaction of South Africa quantity surveyors: Are employers happier than employees? Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 6(2), pp. 124-144. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: The main objective of this paper is to report the findings of a comparative study examining levels of job satisfaction of employees and employers in the quantity surveying profession in South Africa. Factors that have an impact on job satisfaction are explored. In addition, issues relating to gender at work and harassment and discrimination in the workplace are examined. Design/methodology/approach: Data were obtained via a web-based, national questionnaire survey of the registered quantity surveyors. A response rate of 10 per cent was achieved. Of the 146 respondents, 43 per cent are salaried employees whilst 57 per cent are employers. Likert scales were used to measure respondent perceptions regarding factors influencing their job satisfaction, and to explore gender-related issues at work and perceived instances of harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Findings: Contrary to the published literature, employers and employees do not differ significantly in levels of job satisfaction, although twice as many employers than employees claim to "love it". Employers report a greater presence at work of motivating factors than do employees, namely; salary; promotion prospects; personal satisfaction; recognition, autonomy, team participation, and social interaction. Gender and race issues at work are a problem, with more employers than employees claiming instances of racial harassment and discrimination at work. Employees report significantly more instances of discrimination on the basis of gender than employers. Originality/value: Little is known about the job satisfaction of design team professionals, particularly quantity surveyors. The results provide valuable insight into the job satisfaction experienced by employers and employees in quantity surveying practices.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | conditions of employment; job satisfaction; quantity surveying; South Africa |
| Index terms: | employment, job satisfaction, quantity surveying, satisfaction, promotion, social interaction, profession, comparative study, presence, design team, survey, quantity surveying practice, surveying, South Africa, discrimination, registered quantity surveyor, methodology, Likert scale, questionnaire |
| Subjects: | management, research methods, Geography, sociology, professional ethics, data collection methods, profession, research design and methodology, institututions, professional practice, environmental science, project delivery, health monitoring assessment and metrics |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Health and Safety, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Legal Issues, Design Practice, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here