Quality of Work Life, Job Satisfaction, and the Facets of the Relationship between the Two Constructs

Abstract

Quality of Work Life (QWL) and job satisfaction are critical concepts in the field of Human Resource Management (HRM). An intellectual puzzle was chosen by the researchers with regard to whether QWL and job satisfaction are the same or different, and if di fferent, how they are differed. By using the desk research strategy a systematic attempt was made to solve the intellectual puzzle to a reasonable extent. Both constructs were found to be different and related. Four facets of the relationship between the t wo constructs were revealed: Job satisfaction being a dimension of QWL; job satisfaction not being a dimension of QWL; job satisfaction working as an antecedent of QWL; and finally job satisfaction being a consequence of QWL. Formulated synthesis is percei ved as an original contribution to the concepts of QWL and job satisfaction.