The Role of Iranian EFL Teachers’ Job Satisfaction in Their Job Performance: The Contribution of Benevolence Value

Subject Areas : Applied Linguistics

Nasrin Bahojb Ghavechipoor ¹ , Saeideh Ahangari ² , Masoud Zoghi ³

1 - Department of English, Sarab Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sarab, Iran
2 - Department of English, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
3 - Department of English, Ahar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahar, Iran

Received: 2023-07-05 Accepted : 2023-09-13 Published : 2024-04-01

Keywords: value orientation, SEM, teaching,

Abstract :

The investigation into the relationship between teachers' job performance and related variables in an English as a foreign language (EFL) setting has been limited. In order to fill this research vacuum, the present study investigated the mediating effect of benevolence value on the association between job satisfaction and job performance among EFL teachers. A sample of 237 EFL teachers (105 males and 132 females) from different educational institutions (universities, schools, and language institutes) was selected for this correlational survey study. The structural equation modeling (SEM) framework was utilized to analyze the data. The findings reveal that there are significant relationships between EFL teachers' job satisfaction and contextual performance (CP) and the counterproductive work behavior (CWB) dimensions of their job performance and their benevolence value and their task performance (TP) and CP. Furthermore, it is observed that EFL teachers’ benevolence value mediates the relationship between job satisfaction and their TP and CP but not the CWB dimension.

References:

Afzali, A., Arash-Motahari, A., & Hatami-Shirkouhi, L. (2014). Investigating the influence of perceived organizational support, psychological empowerment and organizational learning on job performance: An empirical investigation. Tehnički vjesnik – Technical Gazette, 21(3), 623-629. https://doi.org/10.17559/TV-20140303114817

Aquino, K., & Thau, S. (2009). Workplace Victimization: Aggression from the Target's Perspective. Annual Review of Psychology, 60(1), 717–741. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.60.110707.163703 

Aziri, B. (2011). Job satisfaction: A literature review. Management Research & Practice, 3(4), 77-86. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2011.65506877

Badreya, J. (2010). Job satisfaction comparisons among diverse public organization in the UAE. Journal of Management Science and Engineering, 4(3), 60-79.

Balzer, W. K., Kihm, J. A., Smith, P. C., Irwin, J. L., Bachiochi, P. D., Robie, C., Sinar, E. F., &
Parra, L. F. (1997). Users' manual for the Job Descriptive Index (JDI; 1997 Revision) and
the Job In General scales. Bowling Green State University.

Blau, P.M. (1964) Justice in Social Exchange. Sociological Inquiry, 34, 193–206.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-682X.1964.tb00583.x

Borman, W. C., & Motowidlo, S. J. (1993). Expanding the criterion domain to include elements of contextual performance. Personnel selection in organizations, 71, 98.

Borman, W. C., & Motowidlo, S. J. (1997). Task performance and contextual performance: The meaning for personnel selection research. Human Performance, 10(2), 99–109.

Campbell, P., McCloy, R. A., Oppler, S. H., & Sager, C. E. (1993). A theory of performance. In N. Schmitt & W. C. Borman (Eds.), Personnel selection in organizations, 35–69. Jossey-Bass.

Campbell, D. T., & Wiernik, B. M. (2015). The Modeling and Assessment of Work Performance. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 2(1), 47–74. doi:10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-032414-111427 

Carpini, J. A., Parker, S. K., & Griffin, M. A. (2017). A look back and a leap forward: A review and synthesis of the individual work performance literature. Academy of Management Annals, 11(2), 825-885. https://doi.org/10.5465/annals.2016.0075

Chen, Z. X., & Aryee, S. (2007). Delegation and employee work outcomes: an examination of the

cultural context of mediating processes in China. Acad. Manage. J. 50, 226–238. doi:

10.5465/AMJ.2007.24162389

Dalal, R. S., Baysinger, M., Brummel, B. J., & LeBreton, J. M. (2012). The relative importance of

employee engagement, other job attitudes, and trait affect as predictors of job performance.

Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 42(S1), E295–E325. doi:10.1111/j.1559-

1816.2012.01017.x 

Eisenberger, R., Stinglhamber, F., Vandenberghe, C., Sucharski, I. L., & Rhoades, L. (2002). Perceived supervisor support: contributions to perceived organizational support and employee retention. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(3), 565–573.

Grant, A. M. (2008). Does Intrinsic Motivation Fuel the Prosocial Fire? Motivational Synergy in Predicting Persistence, Performance, and Productivity. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93, 48–58. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.93.1.48

Grant, A. M., & Berry, J. W. (2013). The Necessity of others is the mother of invention: Intrinsic and prosocial motivations, perspective taking, and creativity. In: Carayannis, E.G. (eds) Encyclopedia of creativity, invention, innovation and entrepreneurship. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3858-8_160

Huang, X., & Van de Vliert, E. (2003). Where intrinsic job satisfaction fails to work: National moderators of intrinsic motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 24(2), 159–179.

Ilies, R., Schwind, K. M., Wagner, D. T., Johnson, M. D., DeRue, D. S., & Ilgen, D. R. (2007). When can employees have a family life? The effects of daily workload and affect on work-family conflict and social behaviors at home. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(5), 1368–1379. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.92.5.1368 

Jex, S., & Britt, T. (2008). Organizational psychology: A scientific-practitioner approach (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Judge, T. A., Thoresen, C. J., Bono, J. E., & Patton, G. K. (2001). The job satisfaction–job performance relationship: A qualitative and quantitative review. Psychological Bulletin, 127(3), 376–407. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.127.3.376

Locke, E. A. (1976). The nature and causes of job satisfaction. In M. D. Dunnette (Ed.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology, 1297–1349.  Rand-McNally.

Karavas, E. (2010). How Satisfied Are Greek EFL Teachers with Their Work? Investigating the Motivation and Job Satisfaction Levels of Greek EFL Teachers. Porta Linguarum, 14, 59-78. https://doi.org/10.30827/digibug.1686-6102.2010.14.59-78

Koopmans, L., Bernaards, C. M., Hildebrandt, V. H., Schaufeli, W. B., De Vet, H. C. W., & Van der Beek, A. J. (2011). Conceptual frameworks of individual work performance: A systematic review. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 53, 856–866

Koopmans, L., Bernaards, C. M., Hildebrandt, V. H., Van Buuren, S., Van der Beek, A. J., & de Vet, H. C. W. (2014). Individual Work Performance Questionnaire. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 56(3), 331–337. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000000097

Masanja, S. (2013). Effects of workplace conditions on primary school teachers’ job satisfaction in Tanzania. [Unpublished doctoral thesis]. University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Mbua, F. (2003). Educational administration: Theory and practice. Design House.

Motowildo, S. J., Borman, W. C., & Schmit, M. J. (1997). A theory of individual differences in task and contextual performance. Human Performance, 10(2), 71-83. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327043hup1002_1

Mundhra, W.C.D. (2010). Intrinsic motivational canvass in the Indian service sector: An empirical study. Vision, 14(4), 275–284.

Oluseyi, A. S., & Ayo, H. T. (2009). Influence of work motivation, leadership effectiveness and time management on employees performance in some selected industries in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. European Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Sciences, 16, 7–17.

Organ, D.W. (1988). Organizational citizenship behavior: The good soldier syndrome. Lexington Books.

Organ, D.W., & Ryan, K. (1995) A Meta-Analytic Review of Attitudinal and Dispositional Predictors of Organizational Citizenship Behavior. Personnel Psychology, 48, 775-802.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.1995.tb01781.x

Petty, M. M., McGee, G. W., & Cavender, J. W. (1984). A meta-analysis of the relationships between individual job satisfaction and individual performance. Academy of Management Review, 9, 712–721. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1984.4279673

Podsakoff, P.M., MacKenzie, S.B., Paine, J.B., & Bachrach, D.G. (2000) Organizational citizenship behaviors: A critical review of the theoretical and empirical literature and suggestions for future research. Journal of Management 26(3), 513–563.

Podsakoff, N.P., Whiting, S.W., Podsakoff, P.M., & Blume, B.D. (2009) Individual- and organizational-level consequences of organizational citizenship behaviors: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology 94(1), 122–141.

Robbins, S.P. (2003). Organizational behavior concepts, controversies, application. (8th ed.) Prentice-Hall International.

Robbins, S.P., & Judge, T.A. (2007). Organizational Behavior. (12th ed.). Prentice Hall.

Skaalvik, E. M., & Skaalvik, S. (2011). Teacher job satisfaction and motivation to leave the teaching profession: Relations with school context, feeling of belonging, and emotional exhaustion. Teaching and Teacher Education, 27(6), 1029–1038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2011.04.001

Schwartz, S. H. (1992). Universals in the content and structure of values: Theory and empirical tests in 20 cultural groups. In M. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology 25, 1–65. Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/ S00652601(08)60281-6

Schwartz, S. H., Cieciuch, J., Vecchione, M., Davidov, E., Fischer, R., Beierlein, C., Ramos, A., Verkasalo, M., Lönnqvist, J.E., Demirutku, K., Dirilen-Gumus, O., & Konty, M. (2012). Refining the theory of basic individual values. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 103(4), 663–688. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029393

Schwartz, S. H., Melech, G., Lehmann, A., Burgess, S., & Harris, M. (2001). Extending the cross-cultural validity of the theory of basic human values with a different method of measurement. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 32, 519–542.

Simatwa, E. M. W. (2011). Job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among teachers in Kenya. Kenya Journal of Education, Planning, Economics and Management, 3(3), 1810-1820.

Skarlicki, D. P., & Latham, G. P. (2005). How Can Training Be Used to Foster Organizational Justice? In J. Greenberg, & J. A. Colquitt (Eds.), Handbook of Organizational Justice (pp. 499-522). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Spector, P. E. (1997). Job satisfaction: Application, assessment, causes, and consequences. Sage Publications.

Spector, P.E., & Fox, S. (2005). Counterproductive work behavior: Investigations of actors and targets. American Psychological Association, 151–174.

Spector P., Fox S., Penney L., Bruursema K., Goh A., & Kessler S. (2006). The dimensionality of counterproductivity: Are all counterproductive behaviors created equal? Journal of Vocational Behavior, 68, 446–460.

Tella, A., Ayeni, C. O., & Popoola, S. O. (2007). Work motivation, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment of library personnel in academic and research libraries in Oyo State, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, 9(1), 1–10.

Weiss, H. M. (2002). Deconstructing job satisfaction: Separating evaluations, beliefs and affective experiences. Human Resource Management Review, 12(2), 173–194.

Weiss, H. M., & Cropanzano, R. (1996). Affective events theory: A theoretical discussion of the structure, causes and consequences of affective experiences at work. In B. M. Staw & L. L. Cummings (Eds.), Research in organizational behavior: An annual series of analytical essays and critical reviews, 8, 1–74.