The Relationship between Perceived Influence and Job Satisfaction among Assembly Line Employees

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship. between perceived influence in decision making and job satisfaction with a sample of 192 assembly line employees at an Adelaide food factory. It also examined the way in which the influence-job satisfaction relationship was moderated by desired influence, need for control and need for participation. New scales were developed for measuring influence and desired influence as it was considered that previous scales were either unreliable or deficient in range. Job satisfaction was measured using the Job Description Index which had separate scales for satisfaction with work, pay, promotions, supervision and co-workers. It was found that influence had a moderate positive association with work and promotion satisfaction. This association was not moderated by desired influence or personality factors. There was a negative correlation (-0.22) between perceived and desired influence. Influence was not the dominant predictor of job satisfaction, as skill utilisation, pressure and tenure were also significant predictors. The results were related to various theories of worker participation and industrial democracy and it was indicated how such a survey could be used to structure the introduction of worker participation.