Job satisfaction among South African aircraft pilots

Abstract

In aviation, safety is paramount. The human factor is widely recognised to be critical to aviation safety and effectiveness. Numerous studies have indicated that the human factor is absolutely vital in maintaining or improving safety. These realities suggest that there is a need for consistent, long-term support for research, development, analysis and application of information related to human performance throughout the aviation system .Because this need was recognised, a United States National Plan for Aviation Human Factors was developed and published in 1990. The strategic portion of the plan calls for research which leads to enhancements in (a) human centred design of controls, displays and advanced systems; (b) selection and training; (c) information transfer; (d) personal safety, well-being and survival and; (e) the measurement of performance and an understanding of variables that affect performance (FA A, 1990;Dismukes, 1994). This article supports objective (e) of this scientific programme in aviation human factor research.Since job satisfaction can be regarded as an important contributor to various aspects of work performance, an investigation of the level of job satisfaction of South African aircraft pilots and the variables that affect it can make a valuable scientific contribution.The importance of job satisfaction to human beings is a phenomenon that has been widely studied. The popularity of this field of study can be attributed to the relevance of job satisfaction to the physical and mental well-being of employees. Most of these studies focus on the humanitarian value of job satisfaction. They are based on the implicit assumption that job satisfaction (or lack thereof) is a major contributor to productivity, absenteeism, turnover, in-role job performance and extra-role behaviour and role stress, as well as the belief that management is able to influence the primary antecedents of job attitudes. Job satisfaction can be described as a person's affective attachment to his/her job, either in its entirety (global satisfaction) or with regard to particular aspects, seen as facet job satisfaction (Tett & Meyer, 1993).Several studies have explored the relationship between job satisfaction and variables such as age, gender, rank, length of service, job facets, job levels, intention to quit and commitment (Oshagbemi, 1999;Khaleque & Rahman, 1987;Robie, Ryan, Schmieder, Parra & Smith, 1998;Tett & Meyer, 1993). However, none of these studies has investigated the relationship between pilot-related factors and the job satisfaction levels of aviators. There are numerous publications (Wiener & Nagel, 1988;Besco, 1989;Hawkins, 1993;O'Hare & Roscoe, 1994;Hayward & Lowe, 1996Orlady & Orlady, 1999; that refer to research on the influence of specific factors (for example, automation, work overload, jet lag, irregular working hours, cockpit design and layout) on job performance and pilot error in flight operations. Very few of these publications refer to working conditions or their specific contribution to the intrins...

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