What determines the job satisfaction of federal government employees?
Using data reported in the Survey of Federal Government Employees, I p
ropose and assess the argument that the job satisfaction of federal go
vernment employees is determined primarily by three sets of factors: j
ab characteristics, organizational characteristics, and individual cha
racteristics. The empirical findings show that job characteristics suc
h as pay satisfaction, promotional opportunity, task clarity and signi
ficance, and skills utilization, as well as organizational characteris
tics such as organizational commitment and relationship with superviso
rs and co-workers have consistently significant effects on the job sat
isfaction of federal government employees. I also discuss the research
and organizational implications of my findings.