Resumen de Job satisfaction of university graduates
Aleksander Kucel, Monserrat Vilalta Bufí
This paper investigates the determinants of job satisfaction of university graduates in Spain. We base our analysis on Locke�s discrepancy theory [Locke (1969)] and decompose subjective evaluation of job characteristics into surplus and deficit levels. We also study the importance of overeducation and over-skilling on job satisfaction. We use REFLEX data, a survey of university graduates. We conclude that job satisfaction is mostly determined by the subjective evaluation of intrinsic job characteristics, with an asymmetric impact of surpluses and deficits. Over-skilling is much more important than over-education in explaining the job satisfaction of university graduates, although the latter is also significant.
