The relationship between participatory decision-making and job satisfaction in educational organizations : a case study at International Islamic University Malaysia

Abstract

The relationship between participatory decision-making (PDM) and job satisfaction has attracted the attention of not only business researchers but also learning researchers as well. However, the issue has not been given noteworthy attention in the educational administration research field. This correlational study is conducted to investigate the relationship between (PDM) and job satisfaction in an educational organization, a case study at International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM). This study is carried out on the positivism approach to research. The study utilized a descriptive survey research method. The population of the study was all administrative staff at the International Islamic University of Malaysia. An adapted questionnaire was administered and distributed to 400 administrative staff in all the faculties, centers, divisions and offices of IIUM; however, 255 questionnaires were returned, representing a return rate of 63%. The study comprised of two major variables, namely PDM, which was the independent variable and job satisfaction which was the dependent variable. A five point scale was used to collect data and analysis was based on averages, percentage, correlation coefficient and independent T-test. The descriptive statistics indicated a very high level administrative staff’s participation in PDM and high level of job satisfaction. The correlational analysis found that PDM and Shura have significant impact on administrative staff’s satisfaction. Also, this finding implies that involving administrative staff in educational decision-making would be useful to improve not only their satisfaction but also organizational production. In the research findings, there were some implications for administrative staff and some recommendations made for future researches on the relationship between participation decision-making and job satisfaction in educational organizations.