LEADERSHIP AND JOB SATISFACTION – A REVIEW

The purpose of the present study is to provide a critical review of the relation between leadership and the levels of job satisfaction experienced by employees. An organization’s or institution’s leadership refers to its leader’s style of providing direction, implementing plans and motivating employees. Job satisfaction refers to the employees’ perceptions of their working environment, relations among colleagues, earnings and promotion opportunities. The review shows that contemporary job-related phenomena like job satisfaction are related to employees’ relations with colleagues and superiors, performance and perceptions of their organization’s specific culture. In addition, the employees’ preference of leadership style is likely to be affected by several factors, including demographic characteristics. It can be supported, therefore, that measuring and analyzing an institution’s leadership style in combination with its employees’ demographic and individual characteristics may lead to valuable conclusions, so that job satisfaction is promoted

JOB SATISFACTION AND JOB BURNOUT AMONG GREEK BANK EMPLOYEES

ABSTRACT The present investigation aims to study the feelings of job satisfaction and job burnout experienced by bank employees in Greece in correlation. The method which was preferred in the frame of the study was the quantitative research method. The tool which was used for the measurement of job satisfaction was the Employee Satisfaction Inventory, ESI, created by Koustelios, 1991. It included 24 questions, which measure six dimensions of job satisfaction: 1. Working conditions (5 questions), 2. Earnings (4 questions), 3. Promotions (3 questions), 4. Nature of work (4 questions), 5. Immediate superior (4 questions) and 6. The institution as a whole (4 questions) (total Chronbach's α = 0.75). The responses were given in a five-level Likert scale: 1 = I strongly disagree, 5 = I strongly agree. The tool which was used for the measurement of job burnout was the Maslach Burnout Inventory, MBI, created by Maslach and Jackson, 1986. The inventory included 22 questions measuring the three variables of job burnout: 1. Emotional Exhaustion (9 questions), 2. Depersonalization (5 questions), 3. Lack of personal accomplishment (8 questions) (total Chronbach's α = 0.70). The answers were given in a seven-level Likert scale: 0 = Never, 1 = A few times per year or less, 2 = Once per month or less, 3 = A few times per month, 4 = Once a week, 5 = A few times per week, 6 = Every day. High level of burnout occurs when we have high values on the scales of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and low values in the range of personal accomplishment. Low job burnout occurs when we have low values on the scales of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and high values in the range of personal accomplishment. The sample of the present study consisted of 230 employees of Greek banks and credit institutions. The results of the study showed that the feelings of job satisfaction and job burnout experienced by Greek bank employees occur in quite high levels. Furthermore, there is quite a strong negative correlation between the two variables. However, further investigation should be carried out in the Greek population, so that the phenomena of job satisfaction and job burnout are well studied and promoted

Job Satisfaction, Role Conflict and Autonomy of employees in the Greek Banking Organization

AbstractThe aim of the present study is to measure the levels of job satisfaction, role conflict and autonomy of employees in the Greek Banking Organization. In addition, the investigation of the relation between role conflict and the dimensions of job satisfaction is being attempted and the regulatory impact of autonomy in the aforementioned relationship is being analyzed. For the measurement of job satisfaction in the present study, the Employee Satisfaction Inventory - ESI (Koustelios, 1991; Koustelios & Bagiatis, 1997) was used. The inventory was created using Greek employees as a sample. It included 24 items which measure six dimensions of job satisfaction: 1. Working conditions, 2. Salary, 3. Promotions, 4. Work itself, 5. Immediate superior and 6. The organization as a whole For the measurement of role conflict, the Role Questionnaire (Rizzo, House, & Lirtzman, 1970) was used. The scale consisted of eight items. Finally, for the measurement of employees’ autonomy a scale developed by Beehr (1976) was used. The scale consisted of four items. The results of the study confirmed previous findings, according to which role conflict is negatively correlated with job satisfaction. In addition, autonomy has a moderating role in the relation between role conflict and job satisfaction. Research findings like these should be taken into serious consideration by superiors and managers, so that job satisfaction among Greek bank employees is increased and promoted, leading to higher productivity and general well-being

TRADITIONAL TEACHING METHODS VS. TEACHING THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE ACCOUNTING FIELD: QUO VADIS?

Much emphasis has been placed in the higher education literature, to the understanding of the manner and process of providing education in the accounting discipline. Specifically, the emphasis on using innovative teaching practices such as information and communication technologies, the Internet as well as various computer programs, simulations, case studies on real and virtual work environments, have been investigated in an attempt to understand current demands and move the discipline forward. Following a thorough review of the relevant literature, this study aims to identify and present different views and research findings on the key issue of teaching accounting, internationally. The findings suggest that despite the availability of the former teaching practices, students mainly prefer personalized teacher-centered methods; they also recommend the aforementioned practices as ancillary tools to the traditional method, rather than key learning tools in the courses taken. These findings have obvious implications for the design of accounting course curricula by professional bodies and/or Higher Education Institutions in order to help graduates meet and adapt to the demands for professional competency development in the accounting field

Design and validation of a questionnaire about the perceptions of dual career student-athletes (ESTPORT)

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to design and validate a questionnaire about the perceptions of elite studentathletes at university relating to their dual career. In the initial creation of the instrument, constructs were defined and three dimensions were established: academic life, sporting life and sports tutor. After a process of ‘back translation’, experts (n = 8) agreed the construct to ensure content validity, the dimensions and the questionnaire questions. Statistical analysis of the items showed adequate comprehension to confirm content validity of participants (n = 30). In construct validity (n = 73), the results showed correct psychometric quality, internal consistency, reliability and adequacy of the structural model. The instrument had evidence of external validity, since the results were congruent with the main findings of the research. This questionnaire was found to be a valid and reliable assessment instrument, consisting of 84 questions (in Spanish and English language), that enables the perception of elite student-athletes to be known about their dual career whilst at university

Implementing the European Sports Leadership Programme: A vehicle to help development graduate workplace competencies

This research was part of a large intervention study implementing the European Sports Leadership Programme (ESLP). This paper reports the outcomes of the qualitative study that employed focus groups to assess the students’ perceptions of the 15 competencies determined according to the Framework for qualifications of the European Higher Education Area, before and after the ESLP. Focus groups were carried out at each of the five universities. The ESLP involved university students working as a sports leader for 24 months with the aim to engage more students in university sport, whilst they took part in a graduate employability programme. Each university recruited five sports leaders in their second year at university, to deliver 10 new sport and recreational activities targeting the wider inactive or semi-active student population. Findings highlighted that Organization and planning, Oral and written communication, Development of planning and decision making, and Teamworking, followed closely by Emotional control and Adapting to new situations, were the most commonly reported competencies. They affirmed that this programme had helped to develop these competencies. Use of information, communication and technology, Communication in a foreign language, Research and Emotional control were the most common competencies that students stated they needed to improve further. This research found that implementing the ESLP helped to develop students’ perceptions of their workplace and career competencies. The ESLP is therefore, recommended as one approach to helping universities to develop student’s workplace and career competencies

Effects of a sport leadership programme on the perceptions of university students about their leadership competencies (Efectos de un programa de liderazgo deportivo sobre las percepciones de alumnado universitario)

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a sport leadership programme (ESLP) on variables related to the leaders’ perception regarding instrumental, personal, and systemic skills in university students. In doing so, the second purpose was to analyse the trans-cultural validity of the Cuestionario de Evaluación de Competencias Transversales de Grado (CECTGRA). Participated 61 students as leaders, 25 mentors and 25 employers, from five European countries. The design was pre-test-post-test, following a longitudinal approach of 24 months to evaluate the effects of the ESLP on variables related to the leader’s perception. An adaptation of the CECTGRA was administered. The questionnaire was valid and reliable to know the effects of the ESLP on the students’ perceptions. However, the sports leaders did not improve their perceptions of competence regarding development, mastery and relevance after the application of the programme. From the finding of this study it is recommended to improve the programme based on the leadership competencies to develop, the teaching-learning methodologies to follow, the activities to implement, and the roles to determine

Diseño y validación del cuestionario de percepción de los estudiantes universitarios-deportistas de alto nivel sobre la carrera dual (ESTPORT)

The purpose of this paper was to design and validate a questionnaire about the perceptions of elite studentathletes at university relating to their dual career. In the initial creation of the instrument, constructs were defined and three dimensions were established: academic life, sporting life and sports tutor. After a process of ‘back translation’, experts (n = 8) agreed the construct to ensure content validity, the dimensions and the questionnaire questions. Statistical analysis of the items showed adequate comprehension to confirm content validity of participants (n = 30). In construct validity (n = 73), the results showed correct psychometric quality, internal consistency, reliability and adequacy of the structural model. The instrument had evidence of external validity, since the results were congruent with the main findings of the research. This questionnaire was found to be a valid and reliable assessment instrument, consisting of 84 questions (in Spanish and English language), that enables the perception of elite student-athletes to be known about their dual career whilst at universityEl objetivo de la presente investigación fue diseñar y validar un instrumento de evaluación para conocer la percepción de los estudiantes universitarios-deportistas de alto nivel sobre la carrera dual. En la creación inicial del instrumento se definió el constructo y se establecieron tres dimensiones: carrera académica, carrera deportiva y tutor deportivo. En la validez de contenido, tras un proceso de traducción inversa, los expertos (n = 8) valoraron positivamente el constructo, las dimensiones y las preguntas cuestionario. Los resultados estadísticos de los ítems mostraron la adecuada validez de comprensión de los participantes (n = 30). En la validez de constructo (n = 73), las propiedades psicométricas mostraron la adecuada calidad psicométrica, consistencia interna, fiabilidad y bondad de ajuste. El instrumento también contó con evidencias externas de validez, dado que los resultados fueron en la línea de lo que demuestra la literatura. Por ello, este trabajo ofrece un cuestionario válido y fiable de 84 preguntas (en español y en inglés) que permite medir la percepción de los estudiantes universitarios-deportistas de alto nivel sobre la carrera dualActividad Física y Deport

Efectos de un programa de liderazgo deportivo sobre las percepciones de alumnado universitario acerca de sus competencias como líderes

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a sport leadership programme (ESLP) on varia-bles related to the leaders’ perception regarding instru-mental, personal, and systemic skills in university students. In doing so, the second purpose was to analyse the trans-cultural validity of the Cuestionario de Evaluación de Com-petencias Transversales de Grado (CECTGRA). Participated 61 students as leaders, 25 mentors and 25 employers, from five European countries. The design was pre-test-post-test, following a longitudinal approach of 24 months to eva-luate the effects of the ESLP on variables related to the leader’s perception. An adaptation of the CECTGRA was administered. The questionnaire was valid and reliable to know the effects of the ESLP on the students’ perceptions. However, the sports leaders did not improve their percep-tions of competence regarding development, mastery and relevance after the application of the programme. From the finding of this study it is recommended to improve the programme based on the leadership competencies to de-velop, the teaching-learning methodologies to follow, the activities to implement, and the roles to determineEl objetivo principal fue evaluar el efecto de un programa de liderazgo deportivo (ESLP) sobre variables relacionadas con la percepción de lo líderes acerca de sus habilidades instrumentales, personales y sistémicas con alumnado universitario. Para ello, fue necesario analizar la validez transcultural del Cuestionario de Evaluación de Competencias Transversales de Grado (CECTGRA). Participaron 61 alumnos como líderes, 25 mentores y 25 empleadores de cinco países europeos. El diseño fue pre-test-post-test, siguiendo un enfoque longitudinal de 24 meses para evaluar los efectos del ESLP sobre variables relacionadas con las percepciones de los líderes. Una adaptación del CECTGRA fue contestado en las evaluaciones pre-test-post-test. El cuestionario fue válido y fiable para saber los efectos del ESLP sobre las percepciones de los estudiantes. Sin embargo, los líderes deportivos no mejoraron sus percepciones de competencia respecto a desarrollo, dominio y relevancia tras la aplicación del programa. A partir de estos resultados, se recomienda mejorar el programa a partir de las competencias de liderazgo a desarrollar, las metodologías de enseñanza-aprendizaje a seguir, las actividades a implementar y los roles a determinarActividad Física y Deport