Learning Objective #1: Examine selected factors affecting job satisfaction

Learning Objective #2: Analyze a model from path analysis

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The purpose of this research is to analyze selected factors affecting job satisfaction. The selected factors composed of psychological empowerment, structural empowerment, and leader-member exchange. A sample of 330 staff nurses at hospitals under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Defense were selected by using multi-stage sampling. Psychological empowerment of Spreitzer (1995), structural empowerment of Kanter (1997), and leader-member exchange of Liden & Maslyn (1998) and job satisfaction of Spector (1997) were used as a conceptual framework and developed study questionnaires. All questionnaires were tested for content validity and reliability with alpha of .96, .96, .96, and .93 respectively. Results from path analysis revealed the followings: 1. Model 1: The variable that explains psychological empowerment is structural empowerment. It is accounted for 72.3% of the variance. 2. Model 2: The variables that explain leader-member exchange are psychological empowerment and structural empowerment. They are accounted for 72.1% of the variance. 3. Model 3 : The variables that explain job satisfaction are leader-member exchange and psychological empowerment. They are accounted for 50.6% of the variance. 4. According to path analysis, job satisfaction are affected by psychological empowerment (direct and indirect effects) and leader-member exchange (direct and indirect effects).