Connecting Faculty Empowerment and Job Satisfaction: A Structural Equation Analysis

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Factors Influencing Faculty Satisfaction

Abstract

This preliminary research analysis seeks to apply the empowerment framework to better
understand the level of empowerment of faculty as well as to better understand which
dimensions of empowerment are most salient in terms of job satisfaction. This is done utilizing a
structural equation modeling (SEM) approach with a sample of associate and full professors (N =
771). Or early findings indicate that the Trust construct within the empowerment framework is
most salient followed by the Self-Determination and Meaning constructs in that order. In our
analysis, the Self-Efficacy and Personal Consequence constructs were non-significant.

Authors

• Dustin Eicke, Texas Tech University

• Jon McNaughtan, Texas Tech University

• Russell S. Thacker, University of Idaho

• Sydney Freeman, University of Idaho