Arguably, job satisfaction is one of the most important variables with regard to work. When explaining job satisfaction, research usually focuses on predictor variables in terms of levels but neglects growth rates. Therefore it remains unclear how potential predictors evolve over time and how their development affects job satisfaction. Using…

Using temporally-lagged data from 146 business and engineering newcomers, we found evidence for a "positive side" of plasticity theory (Brockner, 1988, p. 547) in fostering newcomer adjustment. Specifically, as predicted, we found that higher newcomer generalized self-efficacy positively moderates the association between job design (i.e., task…

Building on theoretical frameworks like the Job Demands Control model and Action Theory we tested whether the relationship between workload and employees' experiences of opportunities for workplace learning is of an inverted u-shaped nature and whether autonomy moderates this relationship. We predicted that--at moderate levels of…

Drawing from theory on met expectations, person-environment fit, and social information processing, misfit between the pressure and autonomy experienced by workers and that which would be expected given their occupational roles was examined as a predictor of job satisfaction, perceived support, and depression. Results from a nationally (U.S.)…

Surveys completed by a random sample of 1,884 blue-collar unionized workers showed that perceived role enhancement opportunities (more task complexity and autonomy) were positively related to attitudes associated with promotion opportunities (commitment, work involvement, career opportunity satisfaction). This was especially true for workers with…

A survey of 859 entry-level workers from 8 European countries employed as machine operators and office technology workers identified the processes that account for the development of career-enhancing strategies and job content innovations. Supervisor or coworker relations and intrinsic work values were most important. (SK)