The effect of education on foodservice manager job satisfaction

We conducted a study to determine whether educational background (field of study and level of education) was related to the job satisfaction of foodservice managers. The Index of Organizational Reactions Questionnaire was used to measure specific components of job satisfaction based on a five-point Likert-style scale (1 = low satisfaction, 3 = moderate satisfaction, and 5 = high satisfaction). Questionnaires were mailed to the entire population of 256 foodservice managers employed in college and university dining facilities of a regional division of a major foodservice company in the northeastern United States. Names, titles, positions, and addresses of the managers were obtained from the company's human resources department. Analysis of data was done through computation of the point-biserial correlation coefficient and the rank order correlation coefficient. Managers who responded to the questionnaire (74.6%) indicated moderate overall job satisfaction (mean = 3.42 on a 5-point scale). Of the respondents, 44% had an educational background in foodservice; these respondents had lower overall job satisfaction than did those having no education/training in foodservice. Both groups were most satisfied with the job components of supervision, type of work, and relationship with coworkers. Both groups were least satisfied with pay and benefits, company identification, and amount of work. A significant (p less than .01) positive relationship was found between educational field of study and job satisfaction, and a significant (p less than .001) negative relationship was found between educational level (i.e., degree[s] earned) and job satisfaction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)