Fatigued and Dissatisfied or Fatigued but Satisfied? Goal Orientations and Responses to High Job Demands

Abstract

The present study tested dispositional goal orientation as an explanation for variation in responses to high job demands. Survey data from 322 university employees demonstrated that Job demands were positively related to fatigue, for all combinations of goal orientation. In line with our main proposition, only when an individual's performance orientation was stronger and his or her mastery orientation was weaker, were higher perceived Job demands accompanied by a decline in job satisfaction. The managerial implications of these findings are discussed.