Job satisfaction theories: Traceability to employee performance in organizations

Job satisfaction and employee performance has been a topic of research for decades. Whether job satisfaction influences employee satisfaction in organizations remains a crucial issue to managers and psychologists. That is where the problem lies. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to trace the relationship between job satisfaction and employee performance in organizations with particular reference to Nigeria. Related literature on the some theories of job satisfaction such as affective events, two-factor, equity and job characteristics was reviewed and findings from these theories indicate that a number of factors like achievement, recognition, responsibility, pay, work conditions and so on, have positive influence on employee performance in organizations. The paper adds to the theoretical debate on whether job satisfaction impacts positively on employee performance. It concludes that though the concept of job satisfaction is complex, using appropriate variables and mechanisms can go a long way in enhancing employee performance. It recommends that managers should use those factors that impact employee performance to make them happy, better their well being and the environment. It further specifies appropriate mechanisms using a theoretical approach to support empirical approaches which often lack clarity as to why the variables are related.