Final answer:
When employees experience self-determination and competence, they are likely feeling high job satisfaction. Job satisfaction is positively influenced by control, participation in decision-making, freedom from surveillance, and feeling integral to the work. This aligns with the self-determination theory, which suggests these factors can enhance motivation and wellbeing.
Step-by-step explanation:
When employees have a sense of self-determination and a sense of competence, the employees are likely experiencing high levels of job satisfaction. Job satisfaction, as described by Edwin Locke, is the state of feeling resulting from appraising one's job experiences and is often associated with both cognitive and affective aspects. According to research by Melvin Kohn and others, factors that contribute to job satisfaction include a sense of control over one's work, participation in decision-making processes, freedom from constant surveillance, and feeling integral to the outcome of one's work. Additionally, Niemiec and Ryan's application of self-determination theory to educational practice posits that autonomy and competence, among other things, enhance motivation and wellness in work and educational settings.
Conversely, factors such as a sense of vulnerability to stress, lack of positive feedback, unsafe work environments, and work overload can predict lower job satisfaction. Ultimately, a sense of self-efficacy and meeting social needs like achievement, affiliation, and intimacy also play critical roles in how satisfied someone is with their job. This aligns closely with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, where fulfillment of both basic and complex needs leads to higher satisfaction and motivation.