An investigation of selected factors influencing the job satisfaction of physiotherapists
Abstract
In this study, the job satisfaction of physiotherapists in private practice in South Africa was examined. The primary objective of the research was twofold. Firstly, the objective was to investigate the influence that organisational commitment and entrepreneurial orientation have on the job satisfaction of the specific group of healthcare professionals. Secondly, the objective was to make practical recommendations and suggest action plans to enhance job satisfaction and entrepreneurial behaviour among these individuals and within the physiotherapy industry. A literature study was conducted where the concepts of job satisfaction, organisational commitment and entrepreneurial orientation were explored. The three variables of organisational commitment and five variables that constitute entrepreneurial orientation
were further investigated. The empirical study was conducted among owners or partners of physiotherapy practices in South Africa. Questionnaires were sent to 129 potential respondents in the target population whereafter a total of 70 usable questionnaires were received back. Data was analysed and descriptive statistics were used to conclude on the demographic characteristics of the participants. The mean values and standard deviations of the
variables were also calculated. The reliability of the measuring instruments was determined by calculation of the Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Furthermore, the
differences among genders with regard to the individual variables were determined by
calculation of effect sizes and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the influence of organisational commitment and entrepreneurial orientation on job
satisfaction. Results demonstrated that affective commitment had a statistical significant influence on job satisfaction, whereas continuance commitment and normative commitment showed no relationship with the dependent variable. Even though autonomy was the closest related to job satisfaction among the five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation, none of the dimensions were shown to have a significant influence on the job satisfaction of physiotherapists. No differences existed between males and females with regard to job satisfaction and organisational commitment. However, significant differences were seen in four of the five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation. Male physiotherapists displayed higher levels of innovativeness, risk-taking, pro-activeness and competitive aggressiveness in
their practices than their female counterparts. Based on the results above, recommendations and action plans were formulated. The action plans focused on increasing affective commitment and ultimately job satisfaction of physiotherapists. Furthermore, plans were derived to improve entrepreneurial orientation within the industry and specifically among female physiotherapists. Males can play an imperative role to augment entrepreneurial behaviour among these professionals. The study was concluded by assessing the achievement of the set objectives and suggestions for future research were made.