Examining the Theoretical and Empirical Developments and Future Research Directions in the Cross-Disciplinary Job Satisfaction Literature

Jonathan H. Westover, Utah Valley University

Abstract

Job satisfaction is an important factor in driving organizational learning and organizational change, and as such, job satisfaction continues to be an important area of cross-disciplinary study. The question is, what are the major theoretical explanations for explaining variation in job satisfaction? Additionally, how can one categorize the various sorts of explanations found in the literature? Furthermore, in terms of actual empirical research, which theoretical approaches seem to provide the best explanations? Finally, what are the remaining controversies? This article will address these questions and provide an overview of the historical and future directions of academic inquiry into job satisfaction.