The Situational Occurrences Theory of Job Satisfaction

A two-phase study was conducted to test the Situational Occurrences Theory of Job Satisfaction. The theory was designed to address the following anomalies: (1) why do employees holding seemingly excellent jobs in terms of the traditional job facets such as pay and benefits sometimes report low satisfaction, (2) why do employees holding similar jobs at the same or different organizations with similar pay, etc. have different job satisfaction levels, and (3) why do employee job satisfaction levels change over time when pay, etc. remains relatively stable? The theory posits that job satisfaction is a function of a relatively finite and stable set of variables called Situational Characteristics and a broader based, fluid set of variables called Situational Occurrences. It was hypothesized that overall job satisfaction could best be predicted from a combination of Situational Occurrences and Situational Characteristics than by either alone. It was also hypothesized that Situational Occurrences play a dominant role in determining subsequent satisfaction with the job. Both hypotheses were supported. In addition, male and female differences in the relative importance of Situational Characteristics and Situational Determinants were found.