Job satisfaction and motivation amongst secondary school teachers in Saudi Arabia

354 Pages·2014·4.6 MB·English

Job satisfaction and motivation
amongst secondary school teachers in Saudi Arabia

Khalid Al Tayyar

PhD Thesis

University of York
Department of Education
March 2014
Abstract

Many studies of job satisfaction and motivation have been conducted in developed
countries, but few in developing ones, including Saudi Arabia, in particular in the field
of education. The present study investigates the general job satisfaction and motivation
of teachers in boys’ secondary schools in Saudi Arabia, identifies the main contributory
factors and explores the relationship between satisfaction and motivation and the effects
of demographic variables such as age, qualifications, experience, length of service and
training. In the quantitative phase, 737 teachers in 24 schools in Riyadh completed a
self-administered questionnaire, then qualitative data were gathered by means of semi-
structured interviews with 32 teachers. Factor analysis of the quantitative data, using
SPSS, identified the following ten factors affecting job satisfaction: staff development;
student progress; salary and promotion; supervision and status in society; educational
system; marking pupils’ work; workload; nature of the work; administration; and
interpersonal relationships. Factor analysis also identified two main factors with regard
to motivation, labelled ‘intrinsic and altruistic’ and ‘extrinsic’. The interview data
indicated that religion was a third motivating factor.
The findings show that teachers were generally satisfied with their jobs and that
interpersonal relationships made the greatest contribution to their satisfaction, followed
by school administration and the nature of the work. Satisfaction was moderately
influenced by marking pupils’ work, the educational system, supervision and social
status, workload and conditions, salary and promotion, and student progress, whereas
staff development contributed to teachers’ dissatisfaction. The participating teachers
were generally highly motivated, more so by the intrinsic/altruistic factor than the
extrinsic and religious ones. The study also found a significant relationship between
teachers’ general job satisfaction and their general motivation. There were two other
significant correlations: a relatively strong one between satisfaction and extrinsic
motivation, and a less strong one between satisfaction and intrinsic/altruistic motivation.
With regard to demographic variables, there were statistically significant differences in
job satisfaction and motivation between teachers based on their qualifications,
experience and subjects taught, whereas age, job grade, length of teaching experience at
the present school, the number of lessons taught and having received in-service training
were not associated with statistically significant differences between teachers in terms
of either job satisfaction or motivation.

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Contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................................. 2
List of tables ................................................................................................................... 10
List of figures. ................................................................................................................. 12
Acknowledgements. ........................................................................................................ 13
Declaration ...................................................................................................................... 14
Dedication ....................................................................................................................... 15
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 16
1.2 Background ............................................................................................................... 16
1.3 Statement of problem ................................................................................................ 17
1.4 Aim and objectives .................................................................................................... 20
1.5 Research questions .................................................................................................... 20
1.6 Significance of the study ........................................................................................... 21
1.7 Organisation of the thesis .......................................................................................... 22
1.8 Key terms .................................................................................................................. 23
Chapter Two: The Saudi Arabian Education System
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 25
2.2 Historical background of Saudi Arabia ..................................................................... 25
2.3 The education system in Saudi Arabia ...................................................................... 26
2.3.1 Ministry of Education .......................................................................................... 27
2.3.2 General education................................................................................................. 29
2.3.2.1 Kindergarten stage .......................................................................................... 29
2.3.2.2 Primary stage ................................................................................................... 29
2.3.2.3 Intermediate stage ........................................................................................... 29
2.3.2.4 Secondary stage ............................................................................................... 29
2.3.3 Special education ................................................................................................. 31
2.3.4 Adult education .................................................................................................... 31
2.3.5 Ministry of Higher Education .............................................................................. 31
2.3.6 Daily and annual school schedules ...................................................................... 32
2.3.7 School curricula ................................................................................................... 32
2.3.8 Teachers’ duties ................................................................................................... 33
2.4 Teacher training ........................................................................................................ 35
2.4.1 Pre-service training .............................................................................................. 35
2.4.2 In-service training ................................................................................................ 37
2.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 38
Chapter Three: Literature Review
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 39
3.2 The concept of job satisfaction ................................................................................. 39
3.2.1 Definition of job satisfaction ................................................................................ 39
3.2.1.1 Job satisfaction as a need ................................................................................ 40
3.2.1.2 Job satisfaction as an attitude .......................................................................... 40
3.2.1.3 Job satisfaction as a feeling ............................................................................. 41

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3.2.1.4 Job satisfaction as specific aspects of the job ................................................. 41
3.2.2 Definition of teachers’ job satisfaction ................................................................ 42
3.2.3 Importance of job satisfaction .............................................................................. 42
3.3 The concept of motivation ........................................................................................ 46
3.3.1 Definition of motivation ....................................................................................... 46
3.3.2 Importance of motivation ..................................................................................... 47
3.4 The relationship between job satisfaction and motivation ........................................ 48
3.5 Theories of job satisfaction and motivation .............................................................. 49
3.5.1 Content theories ................................................................................................... 50
3.5.1.1 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs .......................................................................... 50
3.5.1.2 Herzberg’s two-factor theory .......................................................................... 52
3.5.2 Process theories .................................................................................................... 54
3.5.2.1 Vroom’s expectancy theory ............................................................................ 54
3.5.2.2 Equity theory ................................................................................................... 56
3.5.3 Content and process theories compared ............................................................... 57
3.6 Job satisfaction factors .............................................................................................. 58
3.6.1 Pay ...................................................................................................................... 59
3.6.2 Promotion ............................................................................................................. 60
3.6.3 Supervision ........................................................................................................... 61
3.6.4 Recognition .......................................................................................................... 62
3.6.5 Interpersonal relationships ................................................................................... 63
3.6.6 Work itself ............................................................................................................ 64
3.7. Motivations factors................................................................................................... 65
3.8 Demographic variables.............................................................................................. 66
3.8.1 Age ....................................................................................................................... 67
3.8.2 Educational attainment ......................................................................................... 68
3.8.3 Experience ............................................................................................................ 69
3.8.4 Workload .............................................................................................................. 71
3.8.5 Rank ..................................................................................................................... 71
3.8.6 Section summary .................................................................................................. 72
3.9 Studies of job satisfaction and motivation in teachers .............................................. 72
3.9.1 Job satisfaction studies ......................................................................................... 72
3.9.1.1 International studies ........................................................................................ 72
3.9.1.2 Studies of teachers’ satisfaction in Saudi Arabia ........................................... 79
3.9.2 Motivation studies ............................................................................................... 81
3.9.2.1 International studies ....................................................................................... 82
3.9.2.2 Studies of teachers’ motivation in Saudi Arabia ............................................. 87
3.10 Effects of culture on job satisfaction and motivation.............................................. 89
3.11 Overview of job satisfaction factors identified in the literature .............................. 92
3.12 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 95
Chapter Four: Research Design and Methodology
4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 97
4.2 Aim and research questions ...................................................................................... 97
4.3 Research methods...................................................................................................... 98
4.4 Qualitative and quantitative approaches ................................................................... 99
4.4.1 Quantitative approach ........................................................................................ 100
4.4.2 Qualitative approach .......................................................................................... 101

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4.4.3 Mixed methods ................................................................................................... 102
4.5 Data collection methods .......................................................................................... 105
4.5.1 Questionnaires .................................................................................................... 105
4.5.2 Interviews ........................................................................................................... 106
4.6 Ethical issues ........................................................................................................... 108
4.7 The quantitative phase of data collection ................................................................ 110
4.7.1 Developing the questionnaire ............................................................................. 110
4.7.2 Question types and scores .................................................................................. 112
4.7.3 Structure of the questionnaire ............................................................................ 114
4.7.4 Questionnaire translation ................................................................................... 114
4.8 Reliability and validity ............................................................................................ 115
4.8.1 Validity ............................................................................................................... 115
4.8.1.1 Face validity .................................................................................................. 116
4.8.1.2 Content validity ............................................................................................. 116
4.8.1.3 Criterion-related validity ............................................................................... 116
4.8.1.4 Construct validity .......................................................................................... 117
4.8.1.5 Validity of the questionnaire ......................................................................... 117
4.8.2 Reliability ........................................................................................................... 118
4.8.2.1 External reliability ......................................................................................... 118
4.8.2.2 Internal reliability .......................................................................................... 119
4.8.2.3 Reliability of the questionnaire ..................................................................... 119
4.9 Piloting the questionnaire ........................................................................................ 120
4.10 Questionnaire sample and administration ............................................................. 122
4.10.1 Sampling .......................................................................................................... 122
4.10.2 Sampling procedures for the questionnaire ...................................................... 123
4.10.3 Administrative preparation for the questionnaire ............................................ 125
4.10.4 Conduct of the questionnaire survey ................................................................ 126
4.11 Analysis of quantitative data ................................................................................. 126
4.12 Qualitative phase ................................................................................................... 127
4.12.1 Interviews ......................................................................................................... 127
4.12.2 Semi-structured interviews .............................................................................. 128
4.12.3 Interview schedule ........................................................................................... 128
4.12.4 Validity of interview schedule ......................................................................... 129
4.12.5 Translation of interview schedule .................................................................... 129
4.12.6 Pilot study of interview .................................................................................... 130
4.12.7 Interview sample .............................................................................................. 130
4.12.8 Administrative preparation for the interviews ................................................. 132
4.12.9 Conduct of interviews ...................................................................................... 132
4.12.10 Analysing the interview data .......................................................................... 135
4.12.11 Difficulties related to the interviews .............................................................. 136
4.13 Methodological limitations ................................................................................... 137
4.14 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 138
Chapter Five: Analysis of Questionnaire Data
5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 139
5.2 Study aims and research questions .......................................................................... 139
5.3 Response rate .......................................................................................................... 140
5.4 Demographic characteristics of the sample............................................................. 140

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5.4.1 Age ..................................................................................................................... 141
5.4.2 Academic qualifications ..................................................................................... 141
5.4.3 Job grades ........................................................................................................... 142
5.4.4 General teaching experience .............................................................................. 143
5.4.5 Length of service in current school .................................................................... 143
5.4.6 Number of lessons taught ................................................................................... 144
5.4.7 Subjects taught ................................................................................................... 144
5.4.8 Teacher training ................................................................................................. 145
5.4.8.1 Number of training programmes attended .................................................... 145
5.4.8.2 Duration of training programmes attended ................................................... 146
5.4.9 Summary of the demographic characteristics .................................................... 146
5.5 Factor analysis ......................................................................................................... 147
5.6 Job satisfaction factors ............................................................................................ 147
5.6.1 Varimax rotation of job satisfaction factors ....................................................... 148
5.6.2 Interpretation and labelling of job satisfaction factors ....................................... 150
5.6.2.1 Factor 1 ......................................................................................................... 150
5.6.2.2 Factor 2 ......................................................................................................... 151
5.6.2.3 Factor 3 ......................................................................................................... 151
5.6.2.4 Factor 4 ......................................................................................................... 152
5.6.2.5 Factor 5 ......................................................................................................... 152
5.6.2.6 Factor 6 ......................................................................................................... 153
5.6.2.7 Factor 7 ......................................................................................................... 153
5.6.2.8 Factor 8 ......................................................................................................... 153
5.6.2.9 Factor 9 ......................................................................................................... 154
5.6.2.10 Factor 10 ..................................................................................................... 154
5.7 Motivation factors ................................................................................................... 154
5.7.1 Varimax rotation of motivation factors .............................................................. 155
5.7.2 Interpretation and labelling of motivation factors .............................................. 156
5.7.2.1 Factor 1 ......................................................................................................... 156
5.7.2.2 Factor 2 ......................................................................................................... 156
5.8 Questionnaire responses: descriptive statistics ....................................................... 156
5.8.1 General level of satisfaction ............................................................................... 158
5.8.2 Factors influencing teachers’ satisfaction .......................................................... 158
5.8.2.1 Staff development ......................................................................................... 159
5.8.2.2 Administration .............................................................................................. 160
5.8.2.3 Nature of the work ........................................................................................ 161
5.8.2.4 Student progress ............................................................................................ 162
5.8.2.5 Workload/conditions ..................................................................................... 163
5.8.2.6 Salary and promotion .................................................................................... 164
5.8.2.7 Interpersonal relationships ............................................................................ 164
5.8.2.8 Educational system ....................................................................................... 165
5.8.2.9 Marking pupils’ work .................................................................................... 165
5.8.2.10 Educational supervision .............................................................................. 166
5.8.3 Relative contribution of job satisfaction factors ................................................ 166
5.8.4 General motivation ............................................................................................. 168
5.8.5 Factors influencing teachers’ motivation ........................................................... 168
5.8.5.1 Intrinsic and altruistic motivation ................................................................. 169
5.8.5.2 Extrinsic motivation ...................................................................................... 169
5.8.6 The relative contribution of motivational factors............................................... 170

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5.8.7 The relationship of satisfaction factors to general job satisfaction .................... 170
5.8.8 The relationship of general job satisfaction to motivation ................................. 171
5.8.9 Differences based on demographic characteristics ............................................ 172
5.8.9.1 Differences between teachers by age ............................................................ 172
5.8.9.2 Differences by qualification .......................................................................... 173
5.8.9.3 Differences by job grade ............................................................................... 174
5.8.9.4 Differences by general experience ................................................................ 175
5.8.9.5 Differences by length of service in current school........................................ 176
5.8.9.6 Differences by teaching load ......................................................................... 176
5.8.9.7 Differences by subject taught ........................................................................ 177
5.8.9.8 Differences by training .................................................................................. 178
5.9 Chapter summary .................................................................................................... 178
Chapter Six: Analysis of Interview Data
6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 180
6.2 General job satisfaction ........................................................................................... 180
6.2.1 Reasons for changes in job satisfaction level ..................................................... 180
6.3 Factors contributing to teachers’ job satisfaction and/or dissatisfaction ................ 183
6.4 Facilities and work development ............................................................................ 185
6.4.1 In-service training programmes ......................................................................... 185
6.4.2 School teaching facilities ................................................................................... 189
6.5 Interpersonal relationships ...................................................................................... 192
6.5.1 Relationships with the principal ......................................................................... 193
6.5.2 Satisfaction with supervisors ............................................................................. 196
6.5.3 Relationships with colleagues ............................................................................ 198
6.5.4 Relationships with parents ............................................................................... 199
6.6 Teachers’ satisfaction or dissatisfaction with students ........................................... 201
6.7 Workload ................................................................................................................. 203
6.8 Promotion opportunities .......................................................................................... 207
6.9 Status of teachers in society .................................................................................... 210
6.10 Teachers’ motivating factors ................................................................................. 214
6.10.1 Intrinsic factors................................................................................................. 215
6.10.2 Altruistic factors ............................................................................................... 217
6.10.3 Extrinsic factors ............................................................................................... 219
6.10.4 Religious factors............................................................................................... 221
6.11 Teachers’ suggestions to improve their job satisfaction ....................................... 222
6.12 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 223
Chapter Seven: Discussion
7.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 224
7.2 General job satisfaction ........................................................................................... 224
7.3 Factors contributing to teachers’ job satisfaction/dissatisfaction............................ 225
7.3.1 Factors contributing to job satisfaction .............................................................. 226
7.3.1.1 Interpersonal relationships ............................................................................ 226
7.3.1.2 School administration ................................................................................... 228
7.3.1.3 Nature of the work ........................................................................................ 230
7.3.2 Factors contributing moderately to job satisfaction ........................................... 231
7.3.2.1 Marking pupils’ work/preparation ................................................................ 231

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7.3.2.2 Educational system ....................................................................................... 232
7.3.2.3 Supervision and teachers’ status in society ................................................... 233
7.3.2.4 Workload and working conditions ................................................................ 235
7.3.2.5 Salary and promotion .................................................................................... 237
7.3.2.6 Student progress ............................................................................................ 240
7.3.3 Staff development: a factor contributing to job dissatisfaction ......................... 242
7.4 General motivation .................................................................................................. 246
7.5 Factors influencing teachers’ motivation ................................................................ 247
7.5.1 Intrinsic and altruistic motivation ...................................................................... 248
7.5.2 Extrinsic motivation ......................................................................................... 251
7.5.3 The religious factor ............................................................................................ 254
7.6 The relationship of general job satisfaction to motivation .................................... 255
7.7 Demographic variables............................................................................................ 256
7.7.1 Age .................................................................................................................... 256
7.7.2 Qualifications .................................................................................................... 257
7.7.3 Experience and length of service ....................................................................... 259
7.7.4 Number of lessons taught per week ................................................................ 261
7.7.5 Subject taught .................................................................................................... 261
7.7.6 Job grade............................................................................................................ 262
7.7.7 Training ............................................................................................................. 263
7.8 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 263
Chapter Eight: Conclusions and Recommendations
8.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 265
8.2 Summary of findings ............................................................................................... 265
8.2.1 Factors contributing strongly to satisfaction ...................................................... 266
8.2.2 Factors contributing moderately to satisfaction ................................................. 267
8.2.3 Staff development – a cause of dissatisfaction .................................................. 268
8.2.4 Motivation .......................................................................................................... 268
8.2.5 The relationship between satisfaction and motivation ....................................... 269
8.2.6 The effect of demographic variables .................................................................. 269
8.3 General conclusions ................................................................................................ 270
8.4 Contribution to knowledge ...................................................................................... 271
8.5 Conceptual framework ............................................................................................ 272
8.6 Limitations of the study .......................................................................................... 274
8.7 Recommendations for education policy-makers ..................................................... 274
8.7.1 Advancement and promotion ............................................................................ 275
8.7.2 Training programmes ........................................................................................ 275
8.7.3 Teacher’s workload ........................................................................................... 276
8.7.4 Facilities and resources ..................................................................................... 276
8.7.5 Relationship between school and home ............................................................ 277
8.7.6 Status of teachers in society .............................................................................. 277
8.7.7 Cooperation between teachers, local authorities and the Ministry .................... 278
8.7.8 Teachers’ suggestions........................................................................................ 278
8.8 Suggestions for future study.................................................................................... 279

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Appendices
Appendix A: Questionnaire and covering letter............................................................ 282
Appendix B: Interview schedule ................................................................................... 295
Appendix C1: Access letters related to conducting the questionnaire .......................... 297
Appendix C2: Access letters related to conducting the interviews ............................... 304
Appendix D: Interview invitation, participant information sheet and consent form .... 313
Appendix E: Tables of validity and reliability statistics not in main text ..................... 318
Appendix F: Factor analysis tables not in main text ..................................................... 321

References ................................................................................................................. 323

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List of Tables

Table 3.1: Satisfaction factors reported in the literature ................................................. 93
Table 3.2: Demographic variables associated with satisfaction in the literature ............ 94
Table 4.1: Comparison between positivist and constructivist paradigms ..................... 100
Table 4.2: Reliability coefficients ................................................................................. 120
Table 5.1: Questionnaire response rate ......................................................................... 140
Table 5.2: Respondents’ age ......................................................................................... 141
Table 5.3: Respondents’ academic qualifications ......................................................... 141
Table 5.4: Respondents’ job grades .............................................................................. 142
Table 5.5: Respondents’ teaching experience in years ................................................. 143
Table 5.6: Length of service at current school in years ................................................ 143
Table 5.7: Number of lessons taught per week ............................................................. 144
Table 5.8: Frequency and percentage of teachers by subject area ................................ 144
Table 5.9: Respondents’ training .................................................................................. 145
Table 5.10: Number of training programmes attended ................................................. 145
Table 5.11: Duration of training programmes attended ................................................ 146
Table 5.12: Total variance explained ............................................................................ 148
Table 5.13: Results of PCA with varimax rotation for job satisfaction ........................ 149
Table 5.14: Loading of variables on factor 1 using varimax with KNR ....................... 150
Table 5.15: Loading of variables on factor 2 using varimax with KNR ....................... 151
Table 5.16: Loading of variables on factor 3 using varimax with KNR ....................... 151
Table 5.17: Loading of variables on factor 4 using varimax with KNR ....................... 152
Table 5.18: Loading of variables on factor 5 using varimax with KNR ....................... 152
Table 5.19: Loading of variables on factor 6 using varimax with KNR ....................... 153
Table 5.20: Loading of variables on factor 7 using varimax with KNR ....................... 153
Table 5.21: Loading of variables on factor 8 using varimax with KNR ....................... 153
Table 5.22: Loading of variables on factor 9 using varimax with KNR ....................... 154
Table 5.23: Loading of variables on factor 10 using varimax with KNR ..................... 154
Table 5.24: Total variance explained ............................................................................ 155
Table 5.25: Result of PCA with varimax rotation for motivation ................................ 155
Table 5.26: Loading of variables on factor 1 using varimax with KNR ....................... 156
Table 5.27: Loading of variables on factor 2 using varimax with KNR ....................... 156
Table 5.28: Mean values based on response scores ...................................................... 157
Table 5.29: Responses concerning general job satisfaction .......................................... 158
Table 5.30: Responses to items in factor 1 (Staff development) .................................. 160
Table 5.31: Responses to items in factor 2 (Administration)........................................ 161
Table 5.32: Responses to items in factor 3 (Nature of the work) ................................. 162
Table 5.33: Responses to items in factor 4 (Student progress) ..................................... 163
Table 5.34: Responses to items in factor 5 (Workload) ................................................ 164
Table 5.35: Responses to items in factor 6 (Salary and promotion) ............................. 164
Table 5.36: Responses to items in factor 7 (Interpersonal relationships) ..................... 165
Table 5.37: Responses to items in factor 8 (Educational system)................................. 165

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