The Relationship between Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment of Healthcare professionals In Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH)

Abstract

The general objective of this study was to assess the relationship between job satisfaction and organizational commitment of the healthcare professionals in Jimma University specialized hospital. A quantitative explanatory design was employed. From all healthcare professionals found in the hospital in the year 2016/2017 some of were subjects of the study. From the total of 488 healthcare professionals, 215 were selected using probability sampling method and from the selected sample 191 of them successfully completed and return the questionnaire. Healthcare professionals job satisfaction in the selected nine features of job and organizational commitment data were collected through questionnaire and interview. Descriptive statistics, correlations (zero order and partial), and multiple regressions were employed in the analysis of the data. The results of the study revealed that a) the majority of healthcare professionals in JUSH experience a very low over all job satisfaction. More specifically, healthcare professionals in the hospital were moderately satisfied with the work itself and co-worker relations. They were very slightly satisfied with supervision and autonomy while they were dissatisfied with pay and workload followed by physical environment & facilities. Also, healthcare professionals in the hospital were not satisfied with recognition and promotional opportunities. b) Healthcare professionals’ overall commitment towards JUSH was very low. They had a slight, but relatively better affective commitment compared to other components of organizational commitment. Majority of healthcare professionals were not normatively committed to the hospital, they feel a very low obligation to remain in the hospital. Also, healthcare professionals in the hospital underestimated the associated costs of leaving the hospital. c) The correlation analysis also revealed a significant relationship between satisfaction with the selected features (recognition, pay, co-worker relation, work itself, autonomy, physical environment and facilities, work load, supervision, and promotion/growth) and overall job satisfaction of healthcare professionals. d) Only tenure had a significant negative relationship with job satisfaction of healthcare professionals in JUSH. Tenure and educational level also negatively and significantly correlated with affective commitment. e) Overall job satisfaction significantly explained the variance only in affective commitment of healthcare professionals in a positive direction. Therefore, it is recommended that the hospital administrators should provide different intrinsic and extrinsic rewards in order to raise healthcare professionals’ satisfaction and organizational commitment; such as creating an environment which allow healthcare professionals to make additional financial benefits by doing extra hours, and appropriate compensations for healthcare professionals’ extra workload. It is also recommended that providing an appropriate level of autonomy and recognition, smooth supervision, and good prospects of promotion opportunities might raise their satisfaction and commitment; especially for senior and better educated staffs. Finally, further studies on job satisfaction and organizational commitment are recommended.