Final answer:
The statement that hygiene factors usually lead to job satisfaction is false; they only prevent dissatisfaction. The work-content factor, including job autonomy and meaningful work, is the strongest predictor of job satisfaction. Job satisfaction leads to positive outcomes like organizational performance and personal well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement “When hygiene factors are present, they usually lead to job satisfaction” is false. According to Frederick Herzberg's two-factor theory, hygiene factors don't lead to job satisfaction but their absence can cause dissatisfaction. These factors include working conditions, salary, company policies, and interpersonal relationships. Job satisfaction is more closely related to motivators like recognition, achievement, or the intrinsic nature of the work itself—these are the aspects that truly enhance job satisfaction.
Research has suggested that the work-content factor, which includes variety, difficulty level, and role clarity of the job, is the most strongly predictive factor of overall job satisfaction. This contradicts the notion that financial rewards are the primary driver. Factors like autonomy and the meaningfulness of the work are more significant predictors of job satisfaction.
Regarding overall job satisfaction, the work-content factor is mostly influenced by whether employees feel they have control over their work, participate in decision-making processes, have freedom from excessive oversight, and feel integral to the outcome of their work. These elements contribute to a greater sense of job fulfillment and are linked to positive organizational outcomes.