Using a single‐item approach to measure facet job satisfaction

This study builds on the work of Wanous, Reichers, and Hudy (1997) by investigating the use of a single‐item approach measuring facet satisfaction. Participants consisted of 207 employees from a variety of organizations who completed a job satisfaction survey containing the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) as well as a single‐item which also measured each of five JDI facets. Results indicated that the single‐item facet measure was significantly correlated with each of the JDI facets (correlations ranged from .60 to .72). Results also indicated that the single‐item approach compared favourably to the JDI and in some cases accounted for incremental variance in self‐reported job performance and intentions to turnover. Implications include the notions that single‐item measures may be easier and take less time to complete, may be less expensive, may contain more face validity, and may be more flexible than multiple‐item scales measuring facet satisfaction.