The Association of Organisational and Institutional Factors with the Work-Related Attitudes of Australian Academics

This study examines the work-related attitudes (job satisfaction, job stress and the propensity to remain in their current employment) of Australian academics and their association with organisational and institutional factors. The results indicate a moderately low level of job satisfaction, moderately high level of job stress and high propensity to remain. The study reveals that an effective PMS contributes to increased job satisfaction, lower job stress and a higher propensity to remain. In addition, the presence of higher perceived organisational support contributes to higher job satisfaction and a higher propensity to remain while lower stress levels and higher job satisfaction are associated with performance measurement systems that are linked to financial rewards to a greater extent. Conversely, academics are more likely to experience higher stress and lower job satisfaction when faced with increased pressure from the PMS and when students exhibit declining academic ability. Importantly, academics were less likely to remain in their institutions when the management exhibits a more hegemonist (highly managerialist) style. The findings will assist university management in developing management policies which address the concerns of academics by making them aware of these crucial influential factors.