Job Satisfaction among Academic Staff: A Cross-sectional Study

Academics of universities have a critical and important role in the development and progress of countries as the main pillars of the higher education system. Job dissatisfaction can lead to their reduced research efficiency and work quality. This study was conducted to evaluate job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among academics of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study conducted in 2012 on 206 academics working at that university. Sampling was done systematically and data gathered using a researcher made questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS16 software as well as parametric and nonparametric methods. Job satisfaction of academics was average, with a mean of 58.5 ± 15.7 from 100 (Range: 42.8-74.2). The highest satisfaction was related to the dimensions of job nature and the lowest was in salaries and wages. Male academics were more satisfied than females (P=0.04). In addition, the mean of faculty member's job satisfaction in different faculties was significantly different (P=0.03). Generally, academics had a relatively good satisfaction level. Improving salaries, correcting the process of promotion and optimizing the management system are among factors that need more attention from authorities, in order to increase the academic member's satisfaction level.