Laurie A. Dean-Newton

Capella University

Harold Abel School of Social

and Behavioral Sciences

*

Long-Term Paralegal Job Satisfaction

* Definition

* Introduction

* Literature Review

* Methodology

* Data Collection and Analysis

* Results, Conclusions and Recommendations

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*Job Satisfaction (JS) is the result of how

employees interpret the environment. JS also

includes cognitive (job appraisal) and affective

(emotional) elements.

*Long-term job satisfaction (LTS)is paralegal job

satisfaction for a period of two-years or longer.

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*Job Satisfaction is studied in I/O Psychology.

*The problem is that there is little information available on

LTPJS.

*The rationale is to investigate the behaviors and attitudes of

paralegals who are satisfied in their jobs long term.

*Research question is “What contributes to long-term paralegal

job satisfaction?”

*The significance of this study is to learn about JS and how to

enhance it which has implications for theory building.

*

*“What contributes to

long-term paralegal job

satisfaction?”

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*A review of literature contains theories on LTS and

the need for it in law firms and in organizations.

*Seminal thinkers such as Judge, Locke, & Spector

provides historical perspectives of JS and evidence

to support their findings.

*Gaps, Overlaps, and Contradictions exist in the JS

theory.

*Judge, Locke and Spector all agree on the need

for ongoing studies on Job Satisfaction theorems.

*

* Judge (1998) explores Core Self-Evaluations about the self resulting in job

satisfaction.

* Locke (1976) focuses on the origins of JS using the Value Precept Theory.

* Brown (2002) examined job and work motivation using the survey method

with 21 technology consultants. All participants answered questions about

what influences their job satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Brown found that

many respondents were frustrated with their work due to unmet needs.

However, their frustrations did not override the participants’ satisfaction

with their jobs because the participant value flexibility, academic freedom,

personal autonomy, or some satisfaction was related to exemplary

knowledge and training.

* Spector (1997) discusses the application, assessment, and consequences of

job satisfaction.

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*Research and Design Questions

*Community College Paralegal Participants

*Qualitative Multiple Case Study Method

*Data Collection Processes

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*Phases

*Sampling Methods

*Process Flow Chart

*Questions

*Population

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1. What does job satisfaction mean to you?

2. What brings you the most satisfaction at work?

3. What brings you the least satisfaction at work?

4. Have you ever experienced long-term job satisfaction in a difficult or complex work environment?

5. In what ways do employee relationships affect your job satisfaction?

6. How do you feel about the firm where your work/worked?

7. What kind of support or acknowledgement from your boss or other employees do you think make a difference?

8. Is there anything you do to maintain satisfaction when dealing with

difficulties?

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9. How many attorneys do you work for?

10. How are paralegals utilized in the firm where you are/were employed?

11. Tell me whether you feel administrative staff supports paralegals?

12. Tell me whether you feel the secretarial and support staff is adequately trained?

13. How does working for multiple attorneys add to or take away from your long-term job satisfaction?

14. Tell me whether received support from other employees including the attorney(s) with whom you work is provided?

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*Data collection in classroom at Pasadena City College

*Consent forms will be collected and extra copies available

*Participants will be interviewed

*Field notes will be taken from direct observation from interview participants

*Participants will complete a questionnaire

*Data and notes will be coded

*Participants will be allowed to cancel at any time

*Pseudonyms will be provided for participants to protect anonymity

*Researcher will analyze, disclose and report results

* After the Data is Organized

* The Data will be Analyzed

* Storage of data and Participant

Information

* Conclusion and Summary will Reported

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*Brown, M. (2002). An exploratory study of job satisfaction and work motivation of a select group of information technology consultants in Delaware Valley. Dissertation. Wilmington College.

*Judge, T.A., Illes, R. (2004). Affect and job satisfaction: A study of the relationship at work and home. Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 89, No. 4, 661-673.

*Locke, E.A. (1976). The nature and causes of job and life satisfaction: In Dunnette (Ed.), Handbook of Industrial Organizational psychology (pp.1297-1343).

*Spector, P.E. (1997). Job satisfaction: Application, assessment, causes, and consequences. Advanced Topics in Organizational Behavior. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.