Job satisfaction: An analysis of middle managers in the South African Police Service

Abstract

The organised crime units in the South African Police Service (SAPS) have experienced major restructuring over the past two years. The impact which the restructuring would have on the middle managers was never determined This unique organisational situation provided the foundation for the consideration of measuring which factors would impact on the job satisfaction of middle managers. The middle manager serves as an intermediary between top management and lower levels, and is influenced by organisational factors (the organisational climate, policies, and procedures) and individual factors (i.e. needs, abilities, role perception, and values). These factors cause the middle manager to develop a certain attitude towards his work and, given the effort he exerts, a certain level of performance will be reached. This performance is rewarded intrinsically and/or extrinsically and, if the reward is equitably perceived, the middle manager will experience feelings of satisfaction which would impact positively on the management of lower levels in the organisation, thereby increasing overall work efficiency.