Forms of work satisfaction: differential effects on the relationship between knowledge and action

The influence of forms of work satisfaction (resigned satisfaction, constru ctive dissatisfaction) on the relationship between knowledge and action wer e examined in an experimental 2x2 design. In a computer-aided work sample ( nursing scenario) 18 registered nurses were confronted with nine typical si tuations from an inpatient ward. Actions reported by the nurses were analyz ed with respect to indicators of outcome-related and process-related qualit y in various data sources (verbal data, login-files). Quantitative and qual itative results are reported. They show that "constructive dissatisfied" pe ople react to different latitudes at work in terms of increasing actions, w hereas "resigned satisfied" individuals do not. Unexpectedly. this effect w as observed for individuals with lower latitudes. Moreover, we found that a lthough both forms of work satisfaction did not differ in the take-up of in formation, the search for information, or professional knowledge, the "cons tructive dissatisfied" individuals were more likely to transform their know ledge into action than the "resigned satisfied". The implications of these results for human resource management are discussed.