Job Satisfaction Among Malaysian Employees: An Application of Spector’s Job Satisfaction Survey in the South East Asian Context

Job satisfaction explains individuals’ reactions towards their jobs. Many studies find that job satisfaction is a well-known construct that is widely used to study work-related wellbeing; and contributes significantly to employees' overall quality of life. The current paper examines job satisfaction among Malaysian employees using the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS). In particular, the present study compares the job satisfaction levels of Malaysian samples with those of a previously reported study involving samples from Singapore and the United States. Results of one sample t-test reveals statistically significant differences in pay, promotion, fringe benefits, contingent rewards, supervision, co-workers and nature of work subscales. No cultural influence exists between Malaysian and Singapore samples in terms of perceived operating conditions satisfaction. Similarly, no statistically significant difference exists between Malaysian and the United States perception towards the communication facet. Furthermore, the results of factor analysis support the previous study, suggesting possible cultural differences in the understanding of, and consensus regarding, the structure of the job satisfaction scale. Keywords: Job satisfaction; Malaysia; Spector; South East Asia ABSTRAK Kepuasan kerja menerangkan tentang reaksi individu terhadap kerjanya. Ia merupakan antara konstruk utama yang selalu digunakan untuk mengkaji kesejahteraan individu dan konstruk yang menyumbang secara signifikan terhadap kualiti hidup pekerja. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti kepuasan kerja dalam kalangan pekerja Malaysia dengan menggunakan kajiselidik kepuasan kerja (JSS). Secara khususnya, kajian ini membandingkan kepuasan kerja pekerja Malaysia dengan pekerja Singapura dan Amerika Syarikat. Ujian t satu sampel menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan berdasarkan sub-skala upah, kenaikan pangkat, faedah sampingan, ganjaran kontigensi, penyeliaan, rakan sekerja dan sifat pekerjaan. Tidak terdapat pengaruh budaya terhadap perbezaan persepsi kepuasan kondisi operasi antara sampel pekerja Malaysia dengan Singapura, begitu juga dengan persepsi aspek komunikasi. Seterusnya, analisis faktor juga mengukuhkan lagi dapatan kajian lepas yang menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan budaya dalam kefahaman dan persetujuan tentang struktur skala kepuasan kerja. Kata kunci: Kepuasan kerja; Malaysia; Spector; Asia Tenggara