Job satisfaction in the gastronomic sector: Case of tourist destinations in Manabí, Ecuador

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the factors that affect the job satisfaction of employees in the gastronomic sector of the most relevant tourist destinations in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. The collection of information was divided into two stages, the first was carried out prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the second during it, when the sanitary restrictions were still in force. The study carried out found significant differences in the incidence of the dimensions and indicators studied in the comparison before and during the pandemic. In the first stage, the dimension with the highest incidence was the perception of the individual, while in the second stage, the physical environment obtained a majority significance in job satisfaction. It was also evidenced that the labor participation of people over 60 years of age decreased while the participation of young employees increased during the pandemic. It is concluded that job satisfaction is not a standardized conception that can be maintained over time, unexpected changes and crisis situations can modify the incidence of the dimensions in achieving satisfaction.