CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Job satisfaction is an important factor among workers of organizations. It is a predicator of work behaviour. Job satisfaction has been defined as a positive emotional state resulting from the pleasure a worker derives from the job (Spector, 1997) and as the affective and cognitive attitudes held by workers about various aspects of their work (Mercer, 1997; Wright and Cropanzano, 1997; Wong et.al., 1998). Job satisfaction is also related to the component parts rather than the whole job which is consistent with Spector’s (1997) view. These definitions suggest that job satisfaction is a general or global affective reaction that workers hold about their job.

The benefit of motivation is a strong factor in satisfying a worker. Motivation factors include responsibilities, promotion and personal development. In the work environment, motivation factors play important role to satisfy workers while the absence of motivation results in dissatisfying a worker. Lack of skilled personnel results in the selection of less qualified person for a job. It also influence a worker’s mind towards negativity (Tietjen, 1998).

The opposite of job satisfaction is job dissatisfaction. It has a negative impact on the service growth. Many lower level workers in the civil service always resign from working as soon as they are able to obtain another high paid employment. The common indicator of unsatisfactory job conditions in our organizations is the result of absenteeism and truancy. Some workers openly state their dissatisfaction on the job which even demoralized their colleagues at work places.

However, office managers are the backbones of the office in every organization. According to Mbaga (2016), an office manager is a middle level manager in charge of a department, section or unit of an organization. Formally called a confidential secretary, he has been re-named office manager by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). Some of his functions as identified by Woodland (2006), include Supervisor general oversight of administrative functions. Many authors have written about job satisfaction but none has studies job satisfaction among office managers in Port Harcourt city. This is the gap this study will close.

1.2   STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

The current level of job satisfaction in Nigerian organizations is quite low. This is due to the constant changes which always come with new ways of doing things. Most of these new strategies have not performed well in the market because the office manager themselves do not believe in them and will therefore not perform optimally to meet organizational goals.

Because employees spend so much time in their work environment, it’s important for companies to try to optimize working conditions. Such things as providing spacious work areas rather than cramped ones, adequate lighting and comfortable work stations contribute to favorable work conditions. Providing productivity tools such as upgraded information technology to help employees accomplish tasks more efficiently contributes to job satisfaction as well.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The main purpose of the study is to investigate job satisfaction among office mangers in Port Harcourt. In specific terms, therefore, the study will look into the following areas:

1. To examine the role of job satisfaction among office managers in Port Harcourt.
2. To find out the extent to which job satisfaction affect the productivity of office manager in Port Harcourt city.
3. To identify the problems of job satisfaction among office managers in Port Harcourt city.
4. To offer solutions to the problems of job satisfaction among office managers in Port Harcourt city.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research question will be used to carry out the study.

1. What are the aims of job satisfaction among office managers in organizations?
2. How does job satisfaction assist office managers to achieve organizational goal in Port Harcourt?
3. What are the problems that cause job dissatisfaction among office managers in organizations?
4. How can we solve the problems associated with job dissatisfaction among office managers in organizations in Port Harcourt?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The value of any study lies in its usefulness to the society. In view of this fact therefore, this study which focuses on job satisfaction among `office managers in Port Harcourt will be useful to decision makers in various organizations. This would help decision makers to identify those things that make workers happy and provide them.

This study will be of immeasurable importance to lecturers of Office Technology and Management Department. This will help them to understand the roles of job satisfaction among Nigerian office managers in both government and private organization.

Above all, it is therefore hoped that this study will stimulate further studies among researchers.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study was carried out to determine job satisfaction among office managers in Port Harcourt Metropolis. The researcher decided to limit this study to selected organizations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. As such, six (6) commercial banks that employ office managers will be studied. The banks are First bank plc, Access bank, Union bank plc, first city monument bank, Fidelity bank and Diamond bank.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Job Satisfaction: This how content on an individual is with his or her job. In other words, it is whether or not a worker likes the job or not.

Office Managers: Also called administrative service managers, are business professionals who are responsible for a diverse set of administrative tasks.

Port Harcourt:         This is the capital of Rivers State, Nigeria. It lies along the Bonny River and is located in the Niger Delta. It is an oil and gas city and has an estimated population of about six million

Motivation: The reason for people’s actions, desires, and needs. Motivation is also one’s direction to behavior, A motive is what prompts the person to act in a certain way, or at least develop an inclination for specific behavior.

NBTE: National Board for Technical Education. A Federal Supervisory Agency for Polytechnic in Nigeria.

Organizational

Goals: Are strategic objectives that a company’s management establishes to outline expected outcomes and guide employees’ efforts.

Office Technology and Management: A department in the school of management sciences that produces modern manager with knowledge of automation.

Civil Service: Government work carried out in all its Ministries, Department and Agency