Personality and Job Satisfaction: Evidence from a Sample of Street-Level Bureaucrats |
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| Authors: | Christopher A Cooper Dale Carpenter Audrey Reiner David M McCord |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Political Science and Public Affairs , Western Carolina University , Cullowhee , North Carolina , USA ccooper@email.wcu.edu;3. College of Education and Allied Professions , Western Carolina University , Cullowhee , North Carolina , USA;4. Department of Psychology , Western Carolina University , Cullowhee , North Carolina , USA |
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| Abstract: | Job satisfaction is an important component of bureaucratic success. In this article, we build on the emerging literature on the five-factor model of personality and argue that basic personality characteristics can help us understand why certain employees are more satisfied with their jobs than others. Multivariate analysis of personality and job satisfaction data from over 1,000 public servants supports this argument. We conclude with a discussion about how personality can add to our theoretical understanding of public personnel management, and help public managers identify applicants who are likely to be satisfied with work in the public sector. |
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| Keywords: | professionalism New Public Management public management reform public services |
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