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Public Versus Private Job Satisfaction. Is there a Trade-off between Wages and Stability?

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  • Nuria Sánchez-Sánchez

    (University of Cantabria)

  • Adolfo C. Fernández Puente

    (University of Cantabria)

Abstract

This paper examines the differences in job satisfaction in the public and private sector using the Spanish Survey of Life Quality at Work throughout the period 2006–2010. We use several dimensions of job satisfaction perception (remuneration, promotion policy, time schedule, working hours, flexibility, breaks and holidays). Our results show that, at an aggregate level, public sector workers are observed to be more satisfied than those in the private sector in terms of aggregate level of job satisfaction, stability, time flexibility and holidays but not in terms of wages, work organization, independence and decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Nuria Sánchez-Sánchez & Adolfo C. Fernández Puente, 2021. "Public Versus Private Job Satisfaction. Is there a Trade-off between Wages and Stability?," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 47-67, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:porgrv:v:21:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11115-020-00472-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11115-020-00472-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Giorgio Piccitto & Hans M. A. Schadee & Gabriele Ballarino, 2023. "Job Satisfaction and Gender in Italy: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 169(3), pages 775-793, October.
    2. Cristina Pita & Ramón J. Torregrosa, 2023. "The Education-Job Satisfaction Paradox in the Public Sector," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1717-1735, December.
    3. Thomas Lange, 2021. "Job Satisfaction and Implications for Organizational Sustainability: A Resource Efficiency Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-17, March.

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