Implications of equity theory on the job satisfaction levels of the academic staff at business faculties in Private Universities in Jordan

Motivation is viewed as one of the most dominant factors that affect human performance in carrying out tasks. Among various behavioral-motivational theories, the Equity Theory of Motivation has been examined in this paper in conjunction with employees‟ job satisfaction. The participants were the academic staff members of business faculties at six Jordanian private universities. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey that consisted of two parts. The outcomes of the study indicated that there is an immense support for a positive relationship and a robust correlation between the equity of the wage and incentive system, job satisfaction, and job satisfaction related variables (staff turnover, absenteeism, job performance and productivity, work engagement, and work relationship with superiors). The results also showed that there was statistically no significant evidence that indicated differences in the level of job satisfaction related to equity factor and demographics (gender, age, marital status, income, and academic ranking).