Abstract

MACHADO, Maria de Lourdes et al. Analysis of Satisfaction and Motivation of Academic Staff in Portuguese Higher Education. Rev. Lusófona de Educação [online]. 2011, n.17, pp.167-181. ISSN 1645-7250.

The academic staff is a key resource within higher education institutions and therefore it has a major role in achieving the objectives of the institution. Job satisfaction is important in revitalizing staff motivation and in keeping their enthusiasm alive. The literature reveals that the concept of job satisfaction is composed of a complex set of variables that interact in myriad ways. Naive and simplistic explanations of job satisfaction abound in all sectors. The most typical is the mistaken belief that pay incentives alone will create effective levels of motivation and thus, overall job satisfaction. There are intrinsic variables related to personal growth and development, and extrinsic factors associated with safety in the workplace. There is also ample and somewhat obvious evidence that job satisfaction is related to employee motivation. Although several studies have been performed worldwide, very little is known in the context of higher education in Portugal on this issue. This paper presents an ongoing study in Portugal - PTDC/ESC/67784/2006 - An Examination of Academic Job Satisfaction and Motivation in Portuguese Higher Education (ESMAESP), funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology, which aims to identify factors that relate with satisfaction and motivation of academic staff.

Keywords : job satisfaction; motivation; academic staff; higher education.

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