Final answer:
The most strongly predictive factor of overall job satisfaction is work content. Job satisfaction is influenced when workers have control, participation in decision-making, independence from oversight, and a sense that their work has outcomes. The overjustification effect shows how extrinsic rewards can diminish intrinsic motivation and thereby job satisfaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction
The most strongly predictive factor of overall job satisfaction is the work content. This includes aspects such as job variety, difficulty level, and role clarity. Research by Saari & Judge (2004) highlighted that these factors have a strong correlation to job satisfaction, much more so than financial rewards like pay level. Judge et al. (2010) further explained that higher pay may initially increase satisfaction, but individuals tend to adapt to their salary levels and the increased satisfaction dissipates.
Melvin Kohn and colleagues (1990) and Sunyal, Sunyal, and Yasin (2011) found that workers feel more satisfied when they have control over their work, are part of the decision-making process, have independence from constant oversight, and feel their work contributes to outcomes. Moreover, factors such as a sense of personal responsibility, involvement in task complexity, and positive feedback also contribute significantly.
On the other hand, the overjustification effect can reduce job satisfaction by diminishing intrinsic motivation when an extrinsic reward is introduced. This was supported by research, such as that by Deci et al. (1999), indicating that while intrinsic motivation is robust when unexpected rewards are presented, it diminishes when rewards are expected.