RIVAL MODELS OF MODERATING AND DIRECT EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS ON THE RELATION ON JOB SATISFACTION : LINEAR AND NONLINEAR RELATIONSHIPS

Customer satisfaction is a major driver of companies growth and profitability. Especially in the service industry, job satisfaction of front line employees plays a major role for achieving satisfied customers. Thus, many researchers already have examined job characteristics and occupational stress as antecedents of employees' job satisfaction. However, limited knowledge exists about non-linear relationships and moderating effects among these variables. The present research investigates the antecedents of job satisfaction in the health care industry. Hypotheses are tested by a hierarchical regression analysis on a sample of N=131 registered nurses working in German hospitals. Empirical evidence supports a) a direct linear effect of occupational stress on job satisfaction, b) moderating nonlinear effects of occupational stress on the relationship between motivating potential and job satisfaction.