Job Satisfaction of Library Professionals in Maharashtra State, India Vs ASHA Job

Satisfaction Scale: An Evaluative Study

Dr. Suresh Jange

University Deputy Librarian
Virtual Learning Resource Centre & Digital Library
Gulbarga University, Gulbarga
Karnataka, India
[email protected]

Dr. Vandana Gavali

Librarian
Walchand College, Solapur
Maharashtra, India
[email protected]
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the extent of job satisfaction with respect to
adequacy of salary and promotional avenues, working environment, communication pattern
and social security among library professionals and stress and job involvement of library
professionals working in 35 districts of Maharashtra State.
For the present study the Maharashtra State of India is considered as a geographical region
of the study. All the 35 districts of Maharashtra state of India have formed a universe of the
study in which Questionnaire tool were used to collect the research data from a population of
524 librarians working in 35 districts Maharashtra state of India using purposive sampling
technique of non-probability method. A total of 440 librarians responded with a responsive
rate achieved was 83.9% and used for statistical analysis and interpretation. The Split-half
reliability using Spearman-brown formula is 0.79 and the validity components, concurrent
validity and factorial validity has been tested.
In addition, researcher also provides valuable source of information on the facets of job
dissatisfaction among librarians in Maharashtra State, India covering 35 districts.

Keywords: Job Satisfaction, Academic Libraries, Maharashtra State – India, Professional

Development

1.1 INTRODUCTION
The management of people at work is an integral part of the management process. A well
managed organization usually sees an average worker as the root source of quality and
productivity gains. Such organizations do not look to capital investment, but to employees, as
the fundamental source of improvement. An organization is effective to the degree to which it
achieves its goals. An effective organization will make sure that there is a spirit of
cooperation and sense of commitment and satisfaction within the sphere of its influence. In
order to make employees satisfied and committed to their jobs in academic and research

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libraries, there is a need for strong and effective motivation at various levels, departments and
sections of the library.

Job satisfaction naturally depends on economical, social and cultural conditions in a

given country. Existing economical problems of the developing countries affect the budgets
of the libraries. Lack of sufficient wages, promotional avenues, social security and healthy
working conditions put far from being satisfied. People work for different reasons, some
work just to earn money, some others work to utilize their talents and get satisfaction,
recognition and social status. The first significant study on job satisfaction conducted by
Hoppock (1935)1 reported that work rather than leisure brings more satisfaction.

Low wages, lack of status and social security affect motivation. People are truly the
most precious resource of any organization. Therefore, increasing attention is being paid to
human resource management. Management of manpower is concerned with people at work
and well-being of an individual worker and or working groups for their efficient and effective
use for organizational goals. Therefore, it is very important for employer and employees to
realize the stress and the stressor that causes all the negative effects. The number of
university in Maharashtra has increased tremendously for the past few years. Due to the
increasing number of universities in Maharashtra, university academic staffs may face more
problems in their job as the managements are facing competitive pressure from other
universities. Almost universities are now setting new goal to compete with other universities
as well as the academic staff are involving with the ultimate goal. This may cause the staffs
of academic institutions to face plenty of stress and therefore affect their satisfaction and even
their physical or mental health.

1.2 JOB SATISFACTION

Job Satisfaction is a combination of two words, Job and satisfaction. Job includes
occupational activity performed by an individual in return for a monetary reward while
satisfaction is a word, which is not boosting up the morale of the employees. It increases the
efficiency and the work orientation of the employees. Job requires interaction with co-
workers and seniors, following organizational rules and policies, meeting performance
standards living with working conditions that are often less than ideal. (Jana & Panigrahi,
2011)2
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 Locke (1969)3 gives a comprehensive definition of job satisfaction is as a pleasurable
or positive emotional state resulting from the appraisal of one job or job experience. Job
satisfaction is a result of employees’ perception of how well their job provides things which
are viewed as important. There are three important dimensions to job satisfaction are: first job
satisfaction is an emotional response to a job situation As such, it cannot be seen, and it can
only be inferred. Second, job satisfaction is often determined by how well outcomes meet or
exceed expectation. Third, job satisfaction represents several related attitude.

Smith Kendal and Hulin (1964)4 have suggested that there are five job dimensions
that represent the most important characteristics of a job about which people have affection
responses.

 Work Itself: - the extent to which the job provides the individual with interesting
tasks opportunities for learning and the chance to accept responsibility.
 Pay: - The amount of financial remuneration that received and the degree to which
this is viewed as equitable vis-a-vis other in the organization.
 Promotion opportunities’:-the chances for advancement in the hierarchy.
 Supervision: - The abilities of the supervisor to provide technical assistance and
behavioral support.
 Co-workers:- the degree to which fellow workers is technically proficient and
socially supportive.

Job satisfaction is a complex phenomenon. The importance of job satisfaction is fairly

evident from a description of the importance of maintaining morale in any organization.
Hertzberg and his associates (1959)5 explored job satisfaction from a basically dynamic view
and offered an approach to an understanding of motivation to work. Job satisfaction is a
dynamic changing idea that reflects an individual’s attitudes and expectations towards his
work and goals in life. Job satisfaction of the librarian naturally depends on the economically,
social and cultural conditions in a given country. A librarian who cannot get a sufficient wage
will face with the problem of maintaining his or her family’s life. This problem puts the
librarian far from being satisfied. Especially the social facilities are sufficient because of the
economic conditions. Low wages and lack of status and social security affect job satisfaction
of the librarian who has an important in society will affect the quality of the service he
renders.

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1.3 JOB SATISFACTION IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

Increasing higher educational programmes, intensive research activities, the rapid

growth of literature and increased demands of reading community for varied library services
have brought significant changes in the collection of academic and special libraries in India
and the working in them. In other words the collection of libraries and the staff working in
them increased considerably compared to what they were in the early 1940’s. It is well
known fact that both material and human resources became expensive and would be
becoming more expensive in future. Providing maximum service at minimum cost is the
primary objective of a service organization like libraries. The human resources are the most
important constituent in the convert financial and material resources fully well libraries
cannot accomplish the objectives which they aim to achieve. For utilization of human
resources fully there is need of developing a positive attitude in the staff towards their job and
by motivating them through a provision of job incentives as perceived by them.

The most important evidence which indicates that the conditions of an organization
got worsened is the low rate of job satisfaction. The job satisfaction is the condition of
establishing a healthy organizational environment in an organization. Libraries are the
indispensable cornerstones of the society. The qualification of the library personnel are the
fundamental determinants of the development and organization of the service. Rendering
effective service in library depends on the human source.

Job satisfaction of the librarians, who have important place in the society, will affect
the quality of the service they render. In this respect, the question of how the material and
moral elements affect the job satisfaction of the librarians gains importance. (Kaya, 1995)6

Ivancevich and Matteson (1980)7 identified four categories of work stressors physical
environment individual level, group level and organizational level. Purushotamma, G.M.
(2009)8 surveyed 77 LIS professionals in higher educational institutions of Dakshina
Kannada districts revealed that the professionals are satisfied with management related issues
such as supervision, recognition and performance evolution and dissatisfied with autonomy
by authority facet and also explained that supervision, reward and recognition and
performance evaluation are the areas of satisfaction for professionals. Patel and Patan (2013)9
studied the job satisfaction and workload of university libraries personnel of Gujarat and

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suggested that library personnel are a valuable asset for libraries to give best service to library
users. Library officials and policy makers should know this fact and should construct such
policies that may increase job satisfaction among library personnel to get maximum benefit
from them and image of library may reflect to society.

The management of people at work is an integral part of the management process. To

understand the critical importance of people in the organization is to recognize that the
human element and the organization are synonymous. A well-managed organization usually
sees an average worker as the root source of quality and productivity gains. Such
organizations do not look to capital investment, but to employees, as the fundamental source
of improvement. An organization is effective to the degree to which it achieves its goals. An
effective organization will make sure that there is a spirit of cooperation and sense of
commitment and satisfaction within the sphere of its influence. In order to make employees
satisfied and committed to their jobs in academic and research libraries, there is need for
strong and effective motivation at the various levels, departments, and sections of the library.

The way librarians in academic and university libraries perceive stress influences their
level of satisfaction while job satisfaction and stress have been the topic of many studies, but
the present studies presents new information perspective, describing job satisfaction, Stress
and job involvement of library professionals in Maharashtra state. Hence, the study is
undertaken.

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study aims to study the extent of job satisfaction of library professionals in academic
libraries pertaining to five dimensions by applying ASHA Job Satisfaction Scale i.e.

1.4.1 Salary and facilities

1.4.2 Supervision

1.4.3 Promotion

1.4.4 Work opportunity and

1.4.5 Human relations

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1.5 RESEARCH DESIGN
The present study is descriptive in nature. It attempts to adopt dependent –
independent, associational & co-relational design to fulfill the nature of the study.

Universe and Sampling

For the present study the Maharashtra State is considered as a geographical region of
the study. All the 35 districts of Maharashtra state have formed a universe of the study.
Researcher has tried to collect study units as much as possible through all over Maharashtra.
The sample is collected by using purposive sampling technique of non-probability method. A
total sample framework then becomes 440 which are further taken for statistical analysis and
interpretation.

Tools of data collection

The tools were used for the data collection is Job Satisfaction Scale: ASHA Job
Satisfaction Scale (JSS-HMMP) by Dr. Asha Hingar, Dr. Uma Mittal, Dr. Vinita Mathur and
Ms. Mansi Parnami is used. (Hinger, 2012)10.

An effort has been made to measure job satisfaction focusing on various facilities and
opportunities provided by an organization for the growth and development of its employees.
Subsequently a five dimensional scale comprising 50 (fifty) items was developed. The 5
(five) dimensions include (I) salary and facilities (II) supervision (III) promotion (IV) work
and (V) human relations. These dimensions are operationalized in terms of following
criterion measures.

i) Salary and Facilities: The compensation of work in terms of salary and other
allowances, fringe benefits, overtime made in accordance to one’s role and
responsibilities as well as the cost of living. Payments made elsewhere (in other
organization) are also considered. Item no. 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, 31, 36, 41, 46
measures the job satisfaction with regards to this dimension.

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 ii) Supervision: The supervisor or senior is able to motivate, support and train the
subordinate, is tactful and knowledgeable so that the employees develop a sense of
confidence in him. Item no. 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27, 32, 37, 42, 47 measure supervision
of job satisfaction.
iii) Promotion: There are ample opportunities for advancement and a reward system
exists, where merit as well as seniority is given due consideration. Promotion is
given as a right and a system reveals that those who are eligible and worthy are
certain that in due course of time they will certainly be promoted in a time bound
manner. Item no. 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, 33, 38, 43 and 48 are related to promotion
dimension of job satisfaction.
iv) Work Opportunity: The work is arranged in accordance with the ability and
interest of the individual. Employees get an opportunity to project their creative
skills and take it as a challenge. Opportunities for initiative and innovation exist.
Item no. 4, 9, 14, 19, 24, 29, 34, 39, 44 and 49 measures the work dimension of job
satisfaction.
v) Human Relations: Fulfillment of an employee’s socio-psychological needs results
in cordial human relations, which in turn boost up an employee’s morale and job
satisfaction. An atmosphere of cooperation, concern for each other and a team
feeling prevails resulting in high morale. Item no. 5, 10, 15, 20,25,30,35,40, 45, 50
are related to human relations aspect of job satisfaction.

Reliability: The Split-half reliability using Spearman-brown formula is 0.79.

Validity: The validity components, concurrent validity and factorial validity have
made.

Table 1: Dimension-wise Norms for Interpretation of Raw Scores

Dimensions/ (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Total job

Job Salary Supervision Promotion Work Human satisfaction
Satisfaction & Relations level
level Facilities
High 7 – 10 7 – 10 7 – 10 7 – 10 7 – 10 35 – 50
Average 5–6 5–6 5–6 5–6 5–6 25 – 34
Low 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–4 0 – 24

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 The scale comprises of 50 items having two alternative answers, viz., agree and
disagree. The subject is asked to choose an alternative for each item, which best reflects his
level of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with given item with score (1) is agree and (0) for
disagree. Further items (16-30) are to be scored in reverse order. The total score ranges from
0 to 50. Each job satisfaction dimension score shall range from 0 to 10. The score on each
dimension will be summed up to find out total job satisfaction score. All the scores on five
dimensions are to be summed up and then classified in three categories, i.e. High, Average
and Low job satisfaction (Hingar et.al. 2011:12).

Interpretation of scores: Higher scores indicate high level of job satisfaction and lower
the scores lower the total job satisfaction and for the subscales too.

1.6 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: ASHA SCALE ANALYSIS

Frequency tables based on the scores of total job-satisfaction and scores for sub-scales
of the ASHA scale have given below;

Table 2: Job satisfaction level for ‘Salary & facilities’

Job satisfaction level Frequency Percentage

Low 117 26.6
Average 164 37.3
High 159 36.1
Total 440 100.0

The table 1 reveals about the level of job satisfaction of the respondents for salary &
facilities. A majority proportion of the respondents, less than two-fifth, have average level of
job satisfaction about their salary and other facilities. A significant proportion of the
respondents, slightly less than average level i.e. less than two-fifth, have high level of job
satisfaction and a small proportion of the respondents, more than one-fourth have low level of
job satisfaction for an area of salary and facilities respectively (Objective 1.4.1). It is clear
from the above table that majority of the respondents have average level of job satisfaction
for their salary and other facilities

Table 2: Job satisfaction level for ‘Supervision’

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 Job satisfaction level Frequency Percentage
Low 112 25.5
Average 173 39.3
High 155 35.2
Total 440 100.0

Table reveals about the level of job satisfaction of the respondents for supervision. A
majority proportion of the respondents, about to two-fifth, have average level of job
satisfaction for their supervision. A significant proportion of the respondents, less than two-
fifth, have high level of job satisfaction. A small proportion of the respondents, more than
one-fourth, have low level of job satisfaction for their supervision (Objective 1.4.2). It is clear
from the above table that majority of the respondents have average level of job satisfaction
for their supervision.

Table 3: Job satisfaction level for ‘Promotions’

Job satisfaction level Frequency Percentage
Low 121 27.5
Average 181 41.1
High 138 31.4
Total 440 100.0

Table 3 depicts about the level of job satisfaction of the respondents for their
promotions. A majority proportion of the respondents, more than two-fifth, have average
level of job satisfaction for their promotions. A significant proportion of the respondents, less
than two-fifth, have high level of job satisfaction. A small proportion of the respondents,
more than one-fourth, have low level of job satisfaction about their promotions (Objective
1.4.3). It is clear from the above table that majority of the respondents have average level of
job satisfaction for their promotions.

Table 4: Job satisfaction level for ‘Work Environment’

Job satisfaction level Frequency Percentage
Low 119 27.0
Average 179 40.7
High 142 32.3
Total 440 100.0

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 The table 4 shows about the level of job satisfaction of the respondents for their work.
A majority proportion of the respondents, more than two-fifth, have average level of job
satisfaction for the work they are engaged in. A significant proportion of the respondents, less
than two-fifth, has high level of job satisfaction and a small proportion of the respondents,
more than one-fourth, have low level of job satisfaction for their work (Objective 1.4.4). It is
clear from the above table that majority of the respondents have average level of job
satisfaction for their work.

Table 5: Job satisfaction level for ‘Human relations’

Job satisfaction level Frequency Percentage
Low 141 32.0
Average 158 35.9
High 141 32.0
Total 440 100.0

The table 5 explains about the level of job satisfaction of the respondents for human
relations. A majority proportion of the respondents, less than two-fifth, have average level of
job satisfaction for human relations in library. A significant proportion of the respondents,
less than two-fifth, have high and low level of job satisfaction respectively (Objective 1.4.5).
It is clear from the above table that majority of the respondents have average level of job
satisfaction for human relations.

Table 6: Total level of job satisfaction

Job satisfaction level Frequency Percentage
Low 116 26.4
Average 204 46.4
High 120 27.3
Total 440 100.0

It is clear from the above table that majority of the respondents have average level of
total job satisfaction. A majority proportion of the respondents, more than two-fifth, have
average level of total job satisfaction. A significant proportion of the respondents, more than
one-fourth, has high level of total job satisfaction and a proportion, more than one-fourth,
have low level of total job satisfaction (Objective 1.4.5).

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 Table 7: Age of respondents and Total Level of Job Satisfaction

Age
Job Satisfaction

Low Average High Total

Below 30 years 05 14 43 62
8.1% 22.6% 69.4% 100.0%
31-40 years 45 113 47 205
22.0% 55.1% 22.9% 100.0%
41-50 years 52 52 11 115
45.2% 45.2% 9.6% 100.0%
51 years and above 14 25 19 58
24.1% 43.1% 32.8% 100.0%
Total 116 204 120 440
26.4% 46.4% 27.3% 100.0%
Chi-Square Value: 91.664 Df: 6 Level of Significance: 0.000

A majority proportion of the respondents, more than two-fifth, have average level of
job satisfaction. Within that it is seen that as age increases the proportion of high level of job
satisfaction increases till age 40 then goes on decreasing, whereas, low level of satisfaction is
increasing with the age till age 50. Respondents with high level of job satisfaction are found
young. The chi-square test is applied to see the association between the variables, age and job
satisfaction. It is seen there is statistical association between them as the significance level is
0.000 (table 7).

Table 8 reveals about the pay scale of the respondents and total level of job
satisfaction. A majority proportion of the respondents, more than two-fifth, have average
level of job satisfaction. Within average score, it is clearly seen that those who are getting
UGC scale scored more than those who are getting non-UGC pay scale. But in case of high
job satisfaction respondents with Non-UGC pay scale are more than UGC scaled
respondents. In case of low level of job satisfaction, it is found that non-UGC respondents are
more than UGC scaled respondents. It is apparent from the above table that majority of the
respondents have average level of job satisfaction. The chi-square test is applied to see the

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association between the variables, pay scale and job satisfaction. It is seen there is no
statistical association between them as the significance level is 0.233.

Table 8: Pay scale of respondents and Total Level of Job Satisfaction

Pay scale
Job Satisfaction

Low Average High Total

UGC 85 166 95 346
24.6% 48.0% 27.5% 100.0%
NON-UGC 31 38 25 94
33.0% 40.4% 26.6% 100.0%
Total 116 204 120 440
26.4% 46.4% 27.3% 100.0%

Chi-Square Value: 2.913 Df: 2 Level of Significance: 0.233

1.7 CONCLUSIONS

The conclusions are drawn based on the findings of the study.

 The study intended to see the level of job satisfaction among the library science
personnel in respect to salary & facilities, supervision, promotion, work and human
relations. As far as job satisfaction is concerned study participants have average level
of job satisfaction.
 The socio-demographic study variables i.e. respondent’s age, sex, qualification,
working place, their designation, region and years of experience are associated and
found influencing the respondent’s job satisfaction level.

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  Whereas, the variables i.e. scale (ugc or non-ugc), type of library (college or
university) and respondents mode of education (regular or distance) have no
association with their job satisfaction and therefore they are not interfering with the
job satisfaction of the participants.

Table 9: Correlations between selected variables and subscales and total ASHA
job satisfaction

Dimension Dimension Dimension Dimension Dimension

Correlations i ii iii iv v ASHA
total
Mode of Pearson
-.119* .075 -.178** -.001 -.039 -.034
education Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed) .013 .116 .000 .978 .412 .478
N 440 440 440 440 440 440
Age Pearson
Correlation
-.031 -.059 .073 .072 -.034 .030

Sig. (2-tailed) .510 .213 .127 .130 .473 .529

N 440 440 440 440 440 440
Sex Pearson
Correlation
.151** .632** -.154** -.168** -.186** -.113*

Sig. (2-tailed) .002 .000 .001 .000 .000 .018

N 440 440 440 440 440 440
Qualification Pearson
Correlation
-.009 -.173** -.089 .215** -.005 -.089

Sig. (2-tailed) .843 .000 .062 .000 .913 .063

N 440 440 440 440 440 440

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Pay scale Pearson
Correlation
-.013 -.017 -.211** -.080 -.099* -.136**

Sig. (2-tailed) .789 .725 .000 .093 .039 .004

N 440 440 440 440 440 440

*. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).

**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

The consolidated table above reveals about the correlations between selected variables
and total job satisfaction along with subscales of ASHA scale. The variable respondents
mode of education has not found correlated with the total score for the ASHA job satisfaction
scale, but it has found correlated at 0.05 level with Di i.e. Salary & faculties related job
satisfaction, it has also found correlated at 0.01 level with Dimension iii i.e. Promotion
related job satisfaction. The variable age of the respondents has not found correlated with
either total score for the ASHA job satisfaction scale and its sub scales. The variable sex of
the respondents has not found correlated at 0.05 level with total scale and at 0.01 level with
all the sub scales of job satisfaction.

The variable educational qualification of the respondents has not found correlated
with the total score but has found correlated at 0.05 level with Dimension -ii i.e. supervision
and Dimension iv i. e. Work related job satisfaction. The variable pay scale of the
respondents has not found correlated at 0.01 level with total score of the job satisfaction and
Dimension iii i.e. promotion related job satisfaction. It has also found correlated at 0.05 levels
with Dimension v i.e. human relations related job satisfaction.

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4. Smith Kendal and Hulin (1964)
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6. Kaya, E. (1995). Job satisfaction of the librarians in the developnig countries. 61st
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8. Purushothamma, G. M. (2009). Satisfaction levels related to management issues

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