Job satisfaction as an indicator of the quality of work

This paper studies the relation between the characteristics of the job performed and the level of subjective satisfaction of workers. In other words: whether job satisfaction reflects the characteristics of jobs, and therefore, can be used as an indicator of job quality. Two different approaches are followed. First, using the International Social Survey Program of 1997 we explored whether differences between countries in job satisfaction can be explained by variables usually considered to be related to job quality, such as working hours, wages, etc. Second, we studied the relationship between certain objective measures of job quality and job satisfaction in a given country, using Spain as a case study. In both cases the results do not support the use of job satisfaction as a measure of job quality. Finally, we discuss the different processes that could explain the coexistence of wide variations in job quality with high overall levels of job satisfaction.