Job satisfaction in the civil service department of Lithuania: Analysis of extrinsic and intrinsic factors

Abstract

Academic literature identifies job satisfaction as an important determinant of effective organisational performance, though the contemporary attention of theorists and practitioners for job satisfaction of individuals working in Lithuanian civil service is still fragmented. The article discusses the concept of job satisfaction, examines the significance of various motivational factors for civil servants' job satisfaction and analyses the determinants of job satisfaction in the Civil Service Department of Lithuania. The empirical analysis is based on the results of quantitative research conducted in 2017. The research results revealed that job satisfaction of individuals working in the above mentioned institution is more determined by intrinsic rather than extrinsic motivational factors. Higher levels of job satisfaction are associated with sense of achievement arising from work, interesting, exciting job content and adequate promotional opportunities. The research finding also proposed the challenging trend indicating the negative correlation between job satisfaction and possibilities for to grow personal skills. This paradox is possibly explained by Simon's bounded rationality theory, as well as by methodological specificity, and eventually opens wide platform for further research in public sector.