Job satisfaction and organizational commitment amongst quantity surveyors in Hong Kong : an attitudinal perspective

Abstract

Job satisfaction and organizational commitment are important for determining both individual and organizational outcomes. Quantity surveyors are important players in the Hong Kong construction industry in providing professional services to developers and contractors. Despite their importance, limited job satisfaction and organizational commitment research has been conducted in the profession, which underlines the basis for the study.

Within the quantity surveying profession, quantity surveyors are assigned into work group for handling construction projects. Cooperation and collaboration are common in quantity surveyor’s daily working practice. Given cooperative working arrangement, “work group identification” and “propensity to trust” are regarded as important antecedents for determining job satisfaction and organizational commitment. On the other hand, it is argued that “length of employment within the organization” may have both positive and negative influence on job satisfaction and organizational commitment due to the quantity surveyor’s standardized working duties. Negative perception about the job duties also constitutes a mediation influence on the effect that the antecedents place on organizational commitment. Thus, this research is intended to find out the effect of the three antecedents – “length of employment within the organization”, “work group identification” and “propensity to trust” on job satisfaction and organizational commitment, as well as to investigate the role played by job satisfaction in affecting the relationship between the antecedents and organizational commitment.

Based on previous literatures, the relationships between the antecedents, job satisfaction and organizational commitment are examined and a research model is developed for hypotheses testing. Hypotheses 1 and 2 postulate that the three antecedents positively affect job satisfaction and organizational commitment respectively. Each sub-hypothesis under hypotheses 1 and 2 postulates a positive bivariate relationship between one antecedent and one outcome (job satisfaction or organizational commitment). Hypothesis 3 depicts the mediation effect of job satisfaction on the association stated in Hypothesis 2.

Questionnaire survey is used to collect primary data for analysis. Bivariate correlation and multiple regression analysis are applied for hypotheses testing. The data analysis results provide full support for the relationships between work group identification and job satisfaction. The results also provide some supports for the positive relationship between other antecedents and job satisfaction / organizational commitment. Mediation effects of job satisfaction on the relationships between the three antecedents and organizational commitment are found in some relationships.

This study has both theoretical and practical contributions. A new research theme in construction context is initiated with the use of social exchange theory in examining job satisfaction and organizational commitment within the quantity surveying profession. The research model to explain the relationships between the three antecedents and job satisfaction and organizational commitment is tested. The data analysis results provide a better understanding about job satisfaction and organizational commitment amongst chartered quantity surveyors working in the construction industry. Based on the research findings, it is suggested that senior managers should attempt to improve “work group identification” and “propensity to trust” amongst quantity surveyors so as to enhance job satisfaction and organizational commitment within the profession.