An examination of the effect of job autonomy on job satisfaction

This study investigated the effects of levels of autonomy on employees' job satisfaction, tested the validity of a newly developed job and company satisfaction survey, and sought to determine the variance of certain variables regarding job satisfaction. Participants were 32 retail and distribution center employees from a Midwestern auto parts company. Participants were given the Autonomy subscale from the Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS), in addition to the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) and the Job and Company Satisfaction Survey (JCSS). Results indicated that work autonomy and job satisfaction show a strong positive relationship and that employees desire moderate and high levels of autonomy in their job duties. The study also found that the newly developed JCSS is a valid measurement of job satisfaction when analyzed in congruence with the JSS for convergent validity. When certain factors were tested, age did not show a relationship with job satisfaction; however, autonomy and company satisfaction did have positive significant results with job satisfaction. Finally, company satisfaction accounted for the greatest amount of variance on job satisfaction among age and autonomy.