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Exploring Horticultural Employees' Attitudes Toward Their Jobs: A Qualitative Analysis Based on Herzberg's Theory of Job Satisfaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Vera Bitsch  and
Michael Hogberg
Vera Bitsch
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
Michael Hogberg
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
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Abstract

Job satisfaction is likely the most studied work-related attitude and is assumed to influence a variety of behaviors. This study analyzes the job satisfaction of agricultural employees using Herzberg's theory, which is broadly employed in management. Fourteen horticultural businesses participated in case studies of labor-management practices. Fifteen nonsupervisory employee interviews were analyzed regarding job satisfaction. Components of job satisfaction relevant to horticultural employees were family-business values, achievement, recognition, work itself, involvement, personal life, interpersonal relationships, job security, supervision, working conditions, organization, safety, compensation, and information. While support for Herzberg's theory is weak, it is useful for classifying employees' attitudes.

Keywords

human resource managementhygiene factorsin-depth interviewsjob satisfactionmotivatorspersonnel managementqualitative researchB49M12M50M54Q12
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 37 , Issue 3 , December 2005 , pp. 659 - 671
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2005

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