Abstract:
South African higher education has gone through numerous changes in terms of
restructuring and transformation. Rapid changes of this nature, within the higher
education system, necessitate alternative work arrangements, which have potential
negative effects on job satisfaction of academics. Research on the contracts of
employment of academic staff in the context of developing countries such as
South Africa has remained scarce. The primary purpose of the study was to
explore the relationship between the status of the contract of employment and job
satisfaction. Data were analysed from 494 (n) academics within South African
universities of technology. Correlation analysis was used to establish the
relationship between the status of the contract of employment and job satisfaction.
A negative correlation between the status of the contract and job satisfaction was
observed. Significant differences were found between the status of the contract
and job satisfaction. The results showed that those who are permanently employed
experience high levels of job satisfaction and those who have fixed-term and
temporary contracts experience lower levels of job satisfaction. This study concludes by discussing managerial implications of the results. Limitations and
implication for further research are explored.
