EMPLOYEE JOB SATISFACTION AT XYZ, GOA

A study proposal

This is in reference to our discussions with Mr. ____________ on the issue of measuring job satisfaction at XYZ, Goa. Job satisfaction is how content an employee is with his or her job. It is important for an organization to ensure high levels of job satisfaction. High levels of job satisfaction ensure higher productivity, lower employee turnover, lower levels of job related stress and a greater affinity for the organization. The objective of the proposed project is to measure job satisfaction of the employees at XYZ. The findings of the study shall provide specific guidelines into how can XYZ increase the level of employee satisfaction.

ABOUT GOA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT

The Goa Institute of Management was established in 1993 as a Centre of Excellence in Management Education. A non-profit institution, it is committed to creating value for organisations through management education and through research and consultancy. GIM strives to contribute to the growth, development, and quality of life of the people of Goa and of the country by creating and dissemination knowledge in the fields of management, and social, economic, industrial, rural, and scientific domains. The consultancy services of the Institute addresses managerial and organisational problems of industry and the government and covers areas such as finance, production, plant engineering, information systems, marketing, consumer research, industrial relations, strategic management and organisational development. We have provided consultancy services to the Goa Government, Department of Post and to the Planning Commissions, Government of India. The research conducted by the Institute enables faculty to be in touch with current and emerging issues in organizations today. It enriches the classroom and helps industry, organisations, and government through consequent consulting assignments, training and sponsored research projects. Faculty at GIM publish research papers in national and international refereed journals, develop case studies, and write working papers for review. The Institute has a special interest in Health Care and the Chair in Management of Health Care focuses on research in this area. The Institute designs and conducts general and specialized Management Development Programs for organizations. Some of the organizations where GIM has conducted Programs are Tata Consultancy Services, Limited, Aventis Pharma, Sesa Goa, Department of Indian Postal Services, Govt. Of India, Diebold Systems Pvt. Ltd., Cosme Matias Menezes Pvt. Ltd., Syngenta Pvt. Ltd., Electricity Department, Govt. Of Goa, Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd., Govt. Of Goa, ICICI Lombard, Goa Civil Services Officers, Govt. of Goa and General Insurance Corporation (GIC RE), Goa Sales Tax Department, Govt. of Goa. 1

A brief list of consulting projects taken up by the faculty members at GIM and a select list of publications is attached in appendix 1.

JOB SATISFACTION
The Hawthorne studies of 1924 were the biggest preludes to Job satisfaction. The experiments showed that productivity was not a function of physical infrastructure (lighting) but aspects that are more affective. Since then a lot of studies have measured and investigated employee job satisfaction. Several theories like the Affect theory, Dispositional theory, Opponent process theory, Equity theory, Discrepancy theory, Two-factor theory and Job characteristics model have evolved over a period of time that measure and explain job satisfaction. Do high levels of employee satisfaction help achieve higher productivity? Recent studies have shown that job 1 satisfaction has a rather tenuous correlation to productivity on the job. Studies have shown a rather low correlation between job satisfaction and performance. This is contrary to what is commonly believed and often talked about in the press. Why should a firm then care about employee job satisfaction? High job satisfaction is important for an organization because: 1. Studies on performance mentioned above define performance as the degree to which an employee reaches a quantity requirement or satisfies some standard of effective behaviour. This definition omits an aspect that is also vital for organizations spontaneous and innovative behaviour. A satisfied employee goes beyond his/ her mandated performance to take more initiative. A higher job satisfaction results in higher levels of commitment. The employees of Taj, Mumbai were so committed to their jobs that they put their life on the line to protect the customers from a terrorist assault! Such a commitment cannot be expected from dissatisfied employees. It creates a win-win situation for both employees and the firm, with both happy with each other. Builds a sense of ownership and kinship with the organization. The employee is more loyal and content and loyal. There is a direct implication on absenteeism and turnover. The work place stress is less. Stress is somewhat contagious in nature. A stressed person causes stress in others too. High job satisfaction makes the organization attractive to potential applicants and attracts talent. One reason why companies like Infosys and Tatas attract talent is because they are perceived as employee-friendly organizations. Finally, a high level of satisfaction with the job increases what is called Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). OCB is defined as individual behavior that is discretionary, not directly or explicitly recognized by the formal reward system, and that in the aggregate promotes the effective functioning of the organization. Such a behavior builds an overall positive atmosphere in the organization.

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MEASURING JOB SATISFACTION

We propose to measure the following aspects of job satisfaction: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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Job itself Co-workers Supervisor Pay Promotion and career development

Judge, T. A., Thoresen, C. J., Bono, J. E., & Patton, G. K. (2001). The job satisfaction-job performance relationship: A qualitative and quantitative review. Psychological Bulletin, 127(3), 376-407. 2

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Company policy and support Customers [only in case of sales and marketing team] Grievance redressal Accessibility to top management Facilities [infrastructure/ internet/ transport/ etc.]

This list has been arrived at by an in depth study of the literature on job satisfaction and our experience with job satisfaction studies in the past. Inputs were also given by Mr. Phadnis to include certain satisfaction related aspects important to XYZ. A comprehensive questionnaire shall be used to measure job satisfaction amongst the employees of XYZ. The questionnaire shall take approximately 25-30 minutes to fill up. We shall ensure that the questionnaire is available in English, Marathi, Konkani and also Hindi. XYZ has a total of 591 employees 332 associates and 259 staff. We shall attempt to collect data from atleast 75% of the employees. We shall surely ensure that all the divisions and departments within the organization are adequately represented in our data. Absenteeism and turnover are direct consequences of job satisfaction and are often taken as indicators of satisfaction. The results of the survey shall be triangulated with data on absenteeism and turnover to impart validity to the study.

TIME FRAME
We would require a total of two months (8 weeks) to complete the project and submit our draft report. The milestones are as follows:

Time in weeks -> Questionnaire Design and Testing Data collection Analysis and report

STUDY TEAM
The study team shall comprise of ______________ at GIM. We may also involve others from the organization from time to time if necessary. Data shall be collected with the help of three field executives.

PRICING AND TERMS

The study shall cost Rs. 0.0000000 plus taxes. The following terms and conditions shall apply: 1. 2. 3. 4. GIM shall arrange for all questionnaire and survey material and ensure a coverage of atleast 75% of the total 591 employees. GIM shall ensure that response is taken from all divisions and locations. Payment terms: 50% as advance, 25% after the data collection, 15% on submission of the draft report and the balance after the submission of the final report. All applicable taxes and government levies are over and above the above mentioned price.

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In order to ensure confidentiality of the employees and elicit a truthful response from them, we shall ensure that the identity of the employee is not revealed to the management of XYZ. While we shall share the filled up questionnaire with the XYZ management, all markers that could reveal the employees identity shall be removed from the questionnaire. XYZ and GIM study team shall jointly work out a schedule for data collection that shall take no more than 20 working days. XYZ shall ensure the availability of the employees for the interview on the appointed time and GIM shall ensure the availability of field executives at the appointed time. XYZ shall provide us with all other relevant data (like past 3 years absenteeism/ employee turnover) that shall be required for the study. All survey instruments shall have to be vetted through GIMs Board of Research Ethics. XYZ shall allow the study team to use the data for academic publication. The authors shall, however, need to get the paper/ case vetted by Mr. Krishnamurthy, MD before publication.

CONTACT DETAILS
Dr. Jagrook Dawra, Associate Professor Marketing Area, Goa Institute of Management, Poriem, Sattari, Goa 403505 Tel (direct): 0832 -2366753 Mobile: 8390 903 425 Fax: 0832 2366710.

ANNEXURE: RECENT RESEARCH PAPERS, CASE STUDIES AND PROJECTS DONE BY FACULTY AT GIM