JOB-SATISFACTION AMONG ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATORS

This study was designed to determine the facet-specific or dimensional job satisfaction of academic administrators at selected institutions. A survey composed of demographic items and a standardized job satisfaction instrument, the revised Job Descriptive Index (JDI), was mailed to a stratified random sample of presidents, academic vice-presidents, and deans at four-year colleges and universities. There was an overall response rate of 76 percent. The Carnegie classification of the respondents' employing institutions had no effect on their JDI scale scores. However, the level of the respondents' administrative position did have a significant effect on the mean scores of three JDI scales. When the median JDI scores for each administrative position were compared to a norm group, it was found that chief academic officers and deans are relatively dissatisfied with the nature of their work. It is recommended that future research activities investigate the root causes of the dissatisfaction. It is also recommended that the JDI continue to be administered to this population on a continuing basis to document changes and trends in the job satisfaction of academic administrators over time.