Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Impact of Person–Job Fit on Job Satisfaction: The Mediator Role of Self Efficacy

  • Published:
Social Indicators Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The current study examined the impact of person–job fit on job satisfaction, with a primary focus on confirmation of the mediator role of self efficacy among a sample of 455 staffs. Participants completed a questionnaire packet containing Person–Job Fit Scale, The General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. The results revealed that both person–job fit and self efficacy were significantly correlated with job satisfaction. Structural equation modeling indicated that self efficacy partially mediated person–job fit to job satisfaction. The final model also revealed significant both paths from person–job fit to job satisfaction through self efficacy. The findings extended prior researches and shed light on how person–job fit influence job satisfaction; this provides valuable evidence on how to promote subjective well-being at the workplaces.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson, J. C., & Gerbing, D. W. (1988). Structural equation modeling in practice: A review and recommended two-step approach. Psychological Bulletin, 103(3), 411–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Appelbaum, S. H., & Hare, A. (1996). Self-efficacy as a mediator of goal setting and performance: Some human resource applications. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 11(3), 33–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bretz, R. D, Jr, & Judge, T. A. (1994). Person–organization fit and the theory of work adjustment: Implications for satisfaction, tenure, and career success. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 44(1), 32–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, R. J., & Weir, T. (1980). The type A experience: Occupational and life demands, satisfaction and well-being. Journal of Human Stress, 6(4), 28–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chilton, M. A., Hardgrave, B. C., & Armstrong, D. J. (2005). Person-job cognitive style fit for software developers: The effect on strain and performance. Journal of Management Information Systems, 22(2), 193–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi, J. N. (2004). Person–environment fit and creative behavior: Differential impacts of supplies–values and demands–abilities versions of fit. Human Relations, 57(5), 531–552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Côté, S., & Morgan, L. M. (2002). A longitudinal analysis of the association between emotion regulation, job satisfaction, and intentions to quit. Journal of organizational Behavior, 23(8), 947–962.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, J. R. (1991). Person-job fit: A conceptual integration, literature review, and methodological critique. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, J. R. (1996). An examination of competing versions of the person-environment fit approach to stress. Academy of Management Journal, 39(2), 292–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, J. R., & Cooper, C. L. (1990). The person-environment fit approach to stress: Recurring problems and some suggested solutions. Journal of organizational Behavior, 11(4), 293–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hakanen, J. J., Perhoniemi, R., & Toppinen-Tanner, S. (2008). Positive gain spirals at work: From job resources to work engagement, personal initiative and work-unit innovativeness. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73(1), 78–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, F., Cao, R., Feng, Z., Guan, H., & Peng, J. (2013a). The impacts of dispositional optimism and psychological resilience on the subjective well-being of burn patients: A structural equation modelling analysis. PLoS One, 8(12), e82939.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, F., Guan, H., Kong, Y., Cao, R., & Peng, J. (2013b). Some individual differences influencing the propensity to happiness: Insights from behavioral economics. Social Indicators Research. doi:10.1007/s11205-013-0519-0.

  • Hecht, T. D., & Allen, N. J. (2005). Exploring links between polychronicity and well-being from the perspective of person-job fit: Does it matter if you prefer to do only one thing at a time? Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 98(2), 155–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Judge, T. A., & Bono, J. E. (2001). Relationship of core self-evaluations traits—self-esteem, generalized self-efficacy, locus of control, and emotional stability—with job satisfaction and job performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(1), 80–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Judge, T. A., Erez, A., Bono, J. E., & Thoresen, C. J. (2003). The core self-evaluations scale: Development of a measure. Personnel Psychology, 56(2), 303–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kristof, A. L. (1996). Person-organization fit: An integrative review of its conceptualizations, measurement, and implications. Personnel Psychology, 49(1), 1–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laschinger, H. K. S., Wong, C. A., & Greco, P. (2006). The impact of staff nurse empowerment on person-job fit and work engagement/burnout. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 30(4), 358–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LeRouge, C., Nelson, A., & Blanton, J. E. (2006). The impact of role stress fit and self-esteem on the job attitudes of IT professionals. Information & Management, 43(8), 928–938.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (1990). Work motivation and satisfaction: Light at the end of the tunnel. Psychological Science, 1(4), 240–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacKinnon, D. P., Lockwood, C. M., Hoffman, J. M., West, S. G., & Sheets, V. (2002). A comparison of methods to test mediation and other intervening variable effects. Psychological Methods, 7(1), 83–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millan, J. M., Hessels, J., Thurik, R., & Aguado, R. (2013). Determinants of job satisfaction: a European comparison of self-employed and paid employees. Small Business Economics, 40(3), 651–670.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nasser-Abu Alhija, F., & Wisenbaker, J. (2006). A Monte Carlo study investigating the impact of item parceling strategies on parameter estimates and their standard errors in CFA. Structural Equation Modeling, 13(2), 204–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, K. M., Heppner, M. J., Flores, L. Y., & Bikos, L. H. (1997). The Career Counseling Self-Efficiency Scale: Instrument development and training applications. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 44(1), 20–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng, J., Jiang, X., Zhang, J., Xiao, R., Song, Y., Feng, X., et al. (2013a). The impact of psychological capital on job burnout of Chinese nurses: The mediator role of organizational commitment. PLoS One, 8(12), e84193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng, J., Miao, D., & Xiao, W. (2013b). Why are gainers more risk seeking. Judgment & Decision Making, 8(2), 150–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng, J., Li, D., Zhang, Z., Tian, Y., Miao, D., Xiao, W., & Zhang, J. (2014). How can core self-evaluations influence job burnout? The key roles of organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Journal of Health Psychology. doi:10.1177/1359105314521478.

  • Perrewé, P. L. (1986). Locus of control and activity level as moderators in the quantitative job demands—satisfaction/psychological anxiety relationship: An experimental analysis. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 16(7), 620–632.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, W. M., & Schmitt, N. (2004). Parameter recovery and model fit using multidimensional composites: A comparison of four empirical parceling algorithms. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 39(3), 379–412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saba, T. (2012). Implications of E-learning systems and self-efficiency on students outcomes: A model approach. Human-Centric Computing and Information Sciences, 2(1), 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saks, A. M., & Ashforth, B. E. (1997). A longitudinal investigation of the relationships between job information sources, applicant perceptions of fit, and work outcomes. Personnel Psychology, 50(2), 395–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzer, R., & Jerusalem, M. (1995). Generalized self-efficacy scale. Measures in health psychology: A user’s portfolio. Causal and control beliefs, 1, 35–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, R., & Greenhaus, J. H. (2004). The relation between career decision-making strategies and person-job fit: A study of job changers. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 64(1), 198–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tak, J. (2011). Relationships between various person–environment fit types and employee withdrawal behavior: A longitudinal study. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 78(2), 315–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tinsley, H. E. (2000). The congruence myth: An analysis of the efficacy of the person–environment fit model. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 56(2), 147–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tracey, T. J. (1997). The structure of interests and self-efficiency expectations: An expanded examination of the spherical model of interests. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 44(1), 32–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verquer, M. L., Beehr, T. A., & Wagner, S. H. (2003). A meta-analysis of relations between person–organization fit and work attitudes. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 63(3), 473–489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber, M., Ruch, W., Littman-Ovadia, H., Lavy, S., & Gai, O. (2013). Relationships among higher-order strengths factors, subjective well-being, and general self-efficacy–the case of Israeli adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences, 55(3), 322–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, H. M., & Cropanzano, R. (1996). Affective events theory: A theoretical discussion of the structure, causes and consequences of affective experiences at work.

  • Wheeler, A. R., Gallagher, V. C., Brouer, R. L., & Sablynski, C. J. (2007). When person-organization (mis) fit and (dis) satisfaction lead to turnover: The moderating role of perceived job mobility. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 22(2), 203–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, T. A., & Cropanzano, R. (2004). The role of psychological well-being in job performance: A fresh look at an age-old quest. Organizational Dynamics, 33(4), 338–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, W., Zhou, L., Wu, Q., Zhang, Y., Miao, D., Zhang, J., & Peng, J. (2014). Effects of person-vocation fit and core self-evaluation on career commitment of medical university students: The mediator roles of anxiety and carrier satisfaction. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, e8(1).

  • Zellars, K. L., Hochwarter, W. A., Perrewe, P. L., Miles, A. K., & Kiewitz, C. (2001). Beyond self-efficacy: Interactive effects of role conflict and perceived collective efficacy. Journal of Managerial Issues, 13(4), 483–499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Wu, Q., Miao, D., Yan, X., & Peng, J. (2014). The impact of core self-evaluations on job satisfaction: The mediator role of career commitment. Social Indicators Research, 116, 809–822.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research is supported by the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 71221001), National Natural Science Foundation of China, (Grant No. 71031004), National Natural Science Foundation Youth Project, (Grant No. 71202137).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China

    Yuwen Peng

  2. School of Business, Hunan University, Changsha, China

    Chao Mao

Authors
  1. Yuwen Peng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chao Mao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuwen Peng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Peng, Y., Mao, C. The Impact of Person–Job Fit on Job Satisfaction: The Mediator Role of Self Efficacy. Soc Indic Res 121, 805–813 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0659-x

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0659-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation