Investigating the latent factors of quality of work-life affecting construction craft worker job satisfaction

Previous research in other disciplines identified that job satisfaction plays a major role in employee performance and retention. This paper examines the relationship between job satisfaction and quality of work-life (QWL) factors from the perspective of construction craft workers. The study analyzed data collected from 2002 to 2014 using the General Social Survey's (GSS) QWL questionnaire module. Thirty-four of the 78 QWL variables were found to have a significant correlation with the overall level of job satisfaction of construction craft workers. By using the exploratory factor analysis, five latent factors - safety priority and organizational effectiveness, fair rewards system, resource adequacy, physical and mental health, and job tenure - were extracted. The relative impact of the five latent factors on construction craft worker job satisfaction also was identified. The paper contributes to the overall body of knowledge by identifying latent factors of QWL that affect craft worker job satisfaction specific to the construction industry. The findings of the paper can serve as guidance for construction companies to formulate policies and practices that contribute to better QWL, which can result in improved craft worker job satisfaction, leading to better retention and job performance.