Is job (dis)satisfaction contagious? Simultaneous effects of social networks, task characteristics, and dispositions.

摘要

Themes in scientific thinking about the determinants of job satisfaction include a focus on individual dispositions, on environmental features of the job situation, and on influences by members of one's social nexus. While empirical work supports each of these approaches, research is needed to examine the combined effects of multiple sources of satisfaction. This study investigates the impact of informal friendship and communication social networks on job satisfaction, in light of personality (Big 5, affectivity) and job characteristics (Job Diagnostic Scale and Factual Autonomy Scale dimensions). Results show friends and communication partners to have direct and unmediated influence on one's job satisfaction, along with indirect influence through altered perceptions of the job and access to social capital (i.e., number of at-work friends, social support). Dispositional effects on satisfaction are mediated by job characteristics perceptions and job moods/emotions. Findings emphasize the role of the 'core self-evaluations' trait in explaining both job characteristics perceptions and job satisfaction. Limitations and possible extensions are discussed.