A comparison of measures of job satisfaction used in studies of social communicators

The availability of numerous operationalizations of job satisfaction fosters measure ment decisions based on inadequate information about the reliability, validity and expectations of available alternatives. This impedes theoretical development and practical understanding. To clarify the situation, a comparative analysis of three operationalizations using one data set was performed. Each operationalization explained approximately the same amount of vari ance and a common finding emerged: more rule enforcement means less job satisfaction. The single-item indicator offered a less comprehensive explanation of job satisfaction than did the four- and seven-item indicators. Concerns also emerged about the impact of a professional education on job satisfaction.