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Cultural Attachment and Job Satisfaction Among Canada’s Indigenous Population

Author

Listed:
  • Darlene Clark

    (Thompson Rivers University Kamloops)

  • Laura Lamb

    (Thompson Rivers University Kamloops)

  • Panagiotis Tsigaris

    (Thompson Rivers University Kamloops)

Abstract

This research examines the connection between cultural attachment within Canada’s Indigenous population and the job satisfaction of employed adults. Using the 2017 Aboriginal Peoples Survey, we explore the influence of their cultural attachment on job satisfaction for four generations and across First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Indigenous identities. The cultural attachment social indicator was first created with an index based on four belonging questions and then adjusted for measurement errors. Findings show a positive relationship between cultural attachment and job satisfaction, with the probability of job satisfaction increasing as cultural attachment increases, especially for those who have a high level of cultural attachment with their community. Analysis by age group finds a robust association between cultural attachment and job satisfaction for the four generations: Boomers, Generation X, Y, and Z. The study finds an association between cultural attachment and job satisfaction for all three Indigenous subgroups. The Inuit have the largest cultural attachment effect, followed by First Nations and then Métis. The results emphasize the significance of diversity in organizational settings and the role of cultural attachment within communities in promoting organizational job satisfaction. The findings suggest that policies and practices promoting culture bonding may improve job satisfaction and, thus, performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Darlene Clark & Laura Lamb & Panagiotis Tsigaris, 2025. "Cultural Attachment and Job Satisfaction Among Canada’s Indigenous Population," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 176(1), pages 219-244, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:176:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-024-03445-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-024-03445-1
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