Hotel managers job satisfaction as a function of age

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship existed between age and hotel managerial employees' job satisfaction. Specific emphases were also given to investigate whether there were age related differences in job and needs factors affecting job satisfaction of managers. Along with 9 demographic items, the Job Descriptive Index (revised) and Job in General scales, and the Porter's Needs Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to measure five job facet satisfactions, overall satisfaction, and needs satisfaction and needs importance respectively.

Two hundred and twenty-two managerial employees of hotels in Tennessee were surveyed and 109 managers responded. The response rate was 49.10%.

The data were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment correlation and hierarchical multiple regression procedures to determine relationships among research variables, level of job satisfaction, and relationship between age and job satisfaction after controlling for both position and industry tenure. The analysis of variance procedure was employed to determine difference among needs satisfaction and needs importance of the three different age groups of hotel managers.

Relatively young and college educated people filled the managerial positions in hotels in Tennessee. Hotel managers showed a high level of overall job satisfaction and satisfaction with work, supervision, promotions, and coworkers but not with pay. Satisfaction with work was most highly related to the level of overall job satisfaction of the managers. However, age was not found to be related to the overall job satisfaction and job facet satisfaction of the hotel managers. Only satisfaction with promotions appeared to be negatively related with age.The managers found to be the most satisfied with social needs as opposed to their perception on the importance of that needs. The managers also found to be the least satisfied with self-actualization needs followed by security needs.

There was a significant difference in esteem needs satisfaction between the oldest manager group (40 and over) and the youngest one (30 and younger). No other needs satisfaction was found to be significantly different by age groups.

There was significant difference in security needs importance between the youngest and oldest. The youngest group placed high importance on security needs. A significant difference was also found in "feeling of pressure" between the youngest and the oldest. The oldest group perceived that the feeling of informed was very important to them

This study explored the level and determinants of hotel managers' job satisfaction associated with the managers' age. The information from this study may assist hotel companies to review some of their personnel policies in order to better meet their employee needs.