The development of strategies for enhancing the work satisfaction of recreation administrators

Abstract

The aim of this research is to identify strategies for intervening into the employing organisations of Wellington city recreation administrators, with programmes for increasing work satisfaction. To achieve this, the research takes an organisational development perspective. Specifically, the research aims are: to investigate the relationships between aspects of leisure and work satisfaction; to identify the similar determinants of leisure and work satisfaction; and to identify intervention strategies which are most appropriate for recreation administrators. The research design comprises two research methods. Primarily, specific action research methods are used to enable the recreation administrators to identify critical factors which need to be present in any intervention aimed at increasing their work satisfaction. The unique characteristic of this type of research is that it takes numerical data beyond statistical analysis and into feedback and discussion sessions, as part of the problem-solving process. Secondarily, the completion of a cross-cultural analysis compares the work and leisure satisfaction of New England recreation administrators (de Leo, 1983) with those based in Wellington city. The results of demographic and satisfaction questionnaires illustrate : the differences between the Wellington city recreation administrators and their New England counterparts; the similarity of the determinants of leisure and work satisfaction; and the constructs which are considered to be of more importance in the determination of leisure and work satisfaction. The research highlights the need for organisational development programmes to be designed, that would : unify the values within the recreation adminstrators' organisations; build a sense of belonging to a team; and create conducive leadership styles.