ELEMENTS OF TASK, JOB, AND PROFESSIONAL SATISFACTION IN THE LANGUAGE INDUSTRY: AN EMPIRICAL MODEL A dissertation submitted to Kent State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Mónica Rodríguez-Castro December, 2011 © Copyright by Monica Rodriguez-Castro 2011 All Rights Reserved ii Dissertation written by Mónica Rodríguez-Castro M.A., University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, USA, 2007 B.A., Universidade de Vigo, Spain, 2004 Approved by ______________________________, Chair, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Gregory M. Shreve ______________________________, Members, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Keiran J. Dunne ______________________________, Sue Ellen Wright ______________________________, Marcia Zeng ______________________________, Susan Roxburgh Accepted by ______________________________, Chair, Modern and Classical Language Studies Jennifer Larson ______________________________, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences John R. D. Stalvey iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................ XI LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... XIV DEDICATION.............................................................................................................. XIX ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................... XX CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1.1 Translation Profession – Main Trends ..................................................... 1 1.1.2 Changes in Organizational Dynamics ...................................................... 5 1.1.3 Work Environment................................................................................. 12 1.1.4 New Job and Task Expectations ............................................................ 19 1.1.5 Professional Identity .............................................................................. 25 1.2 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................. 28 1.3 Purpose of this Study ......................................................................................... 30 1.4 Review of Theoretical Framework .................................................................... 30 1.5 Significance of this Study ................................................................................. 31 1.6 Research Questions ........................................................................................... 33 1.7 Organization of this Study ................................................................................. 33 iv CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................... 35 2.1 Introduction to the Concept of ‘Satisfaction’ .................................................... 35 2.2 Individual Aspects of Satisfaction ..................................................................... 37 2.2.1 Values .................................................................................................... 37 2.2.2 Attitudes ................................................................................................. 39 2.2.3 Traits ...................................................................................................... 40 2.2.4 Alignment of Values, Attitudes and Behaviors ..................................... 41 2.2.5 Influence of Attitudes over Behavior via Intentions .............................. 41 2.2.6 Aproaches to the Individual and Job satisfaction .................................. 43 2.3 Task Performance .............................................................................................. 48 2.3.1 Self-efficacy ........................................................................................... 48 2.3.2 Professional Skills and Intelligence ....................................................... 49 2.4 Contextual Aspects of the Work Environment. ................................................ 51 2.4.1 Content Theories .................................................................................... 51 2.4.2 Process Theories .................................................................................... 58 2.4.3 Goal Setting Theories ............................................................................ 63 2.4.4 Influence of the Leadership School ....................................................... 64 2.4.5 Influence of Job Redesign and Job Characteristics Theories ................. 66 2.4.6 Evolution of Organizational Dynamics ................................................. 67 2.4.6.1 Projectized Organizations ............................................................. 70 2.4.6.2 Group or Team Dynamics and Leadership ................................... 78 2.4.6.3 Virtual Leadership ........................................................................ 81 v 2.5 Professional Aspects of Satisfaction .................................................................. 87 2.5.1 Social Recognition of a Profession ........................................................ 88 2.5.2 Professionalism and Professional Status ................................................ 89 2.5.3 Professional Commitment and Professional Involvement ..................... 89 2.5.4 Coaching and Retention ......................................................................... 92 2.6 Conclusions ...................................................................................................... 93 CHAPTER 3 TRANSLATOR SATISFACTION MODEL ........................................ 97 3.1 Composition of the Model ................................................................................. 97 3.2 Facets, Concepts, Factors and Variables–Operationalizations .......................... 98 3.3 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................... 101 3.4 Model of Translator Satisfaction ..................................................................... 101 3.4.1 Facet of Task Satisfaction .................................................................... 101 3.4.1.1 Self-efficacy ................................................................................ 105 3.4.1.2 Nature of the Task ....................................................................... 109 3.4.1.3 Job-Fit ......................................................................................... 114 3.4.1.4 Self-fulfillment ............................................................................ 118 3.4.2 Facet of Job Satisfaction ...................................................................... 124 3.4.2.1 Individual-Job Fit ........................................................................ 126 3.4.2.2 Individual-Organization and Individual-Team Fit ...................... 138 3.4.2.3 Individual-Upper Management Fit ............................................. 152 3.4.2.4 Individual-Client Relationship .................................................... 159 3.4.3 Facet of Professional Satisfaction ........................................................ 162 vi 3.4.3.1 Professional Profile ..................................................................... 162 3.4.3.2 (Perceived) Job Security ............................................................. 176 3.4.3.3 Occupational Flexibility.............................................................. 178 3.4.3.4 Marketing .................................................................................... 178 3.4.3.5 Translator’s Self-concept ............................................................ 181 3.4.3.6 Career Development ................................................................... 184 3.4.3.7 Professional Reputation .............................................................. 189 3.4.3.8 Mentoring .................................................................................... 192 3.4.3.9 Career Turnover .......................................................................... 194 3.5 Research Questions ......................................................................................... 194 3.5.1 Descriptive Statistical Analysis ..................................................... 195 3.5.2 Hypothesis Testing......................................................................... 199 3.5.3 Regression Analysis ....................................................................... 204 3.5.4 Correlation Analysis ...................................................................... 204 CHAPTER 4 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................ 206 4.1 Selection of Participants .................................................................................. 206 4.2 Instrument ........................................................................................................ 211 4.2.1Questionnaire Dessign .................................................................... 215 4.3 Data Collection ................................................................................................ 226 4.4 Data Analysis .................................................................................................