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Are More Competent Workers More Satisfied?

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  • Andries De Grip
  • Inge Sieben
  • Fred Stevens

Abstract

. In this paper, we analyse the relationship between workers' competencies and their job satisfaction in the context of dual (i.e. vocational versus communicative) skill demands. We analyse the effects of workers' competencies on their overall, intrinsic, and extrinsic job satisfaction. We focus on pharmacy assistants who need both pharmaceutical and communicative competencies in their work. Results from a linked employer–employee survey show that assistants with more communicative competencies are more satisfied with their job, whereas assistants with more pharmaceutical competencies are not more satisfied than the less competent assistants. In addition, workers who perform tasks below their level of competence are more dissatisfied with both their remuneration and career prospects and the content of their job as such, than were other workers. Our results indicate that the demand shift from vocational towards communication skills, which occurs in many professions, can affect the job satisfaction of the most competent workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Andries De Grip & Inge Sieben & Fred Stevens, 2009. "Are More Competent Workers More Satisfied?," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 23(4), pages 589-607, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:labour:v:23:y:2009:i:4:p:589-607
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9914.2009.00463.x
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    1. Lukasz Wiechetek & Nada Trunk Sirca, 2014. "Entrepreneurs’ Expectations and Students’ Competencies According to the First Stage of the Synergy Project Evaluation," International Journal of Management, Knowledge and Learning, International School for Social and Business Studies, Celje, Slovenia, vol. 3(1), pages 101-123.
    2. Yong-Sun Chang & Jian Hui Guo & Joel M. Evans, 2023. "Flexible but stable: the mediated influence of an organization’s culture on performance," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(1), pages 463-492, February.
    3. Catherine Béduwé & Jean-François Giret, 2011. "Mismatch of vocational graduates : what penalty on French labour market," Post-Print halshs-00738007, HAL.
    4. Romina Gambacorta & Maria Iannario, 2012. "Statistical models for measuring job satisfaction," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 852, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    5. Zaid Alfayad & Lily Suriani Mohd Arif, 2017. "Employee Voice and Job Satisfaction: An Application of Herzberg's Two-factor Theory," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 7(1), pages 150-156.

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