Effect of Tasks, Salaries, and Shocks on Job Satisfaction Among MIS Professionals

Abstract

This chapter contrasts attitudes and attributes of current and former positions of IT professionals who have changed jobs within the IT field. It also examines relationships among key variables of tasks performed, salary, job satisfaction, and external influences or “shocks” that may have precipitated turnover. Survey data were collected from 169 MIS professionals. Results showed significant changes in task, salary, and job satisfaction between former and current jobs. Detailed examinations show significant increases in project management and business analysis and decrease in 3GL and maintenance programming as well as differences in the amount of change for different elements of job satisfaction. A number of significant relationships among variables between some tasks and salary, some tasks and job satisfaction, and low former job satisfaction and response to particular “shocks” relative to turnover emerged from the data.