Academic Professionals: A Study of Conflict and Satisfaction in Professoriate

Abstract

Professional role conflicts of faculty in a research university are examined using confirmatory factor analysis. Results support the "compromise model" of professional bureaucracies with three decision arenas. Technical core of teaching function and purely administrative matters rarely create role conflicts while the area of collective decision making is the fertile ground for role incompatibilities of faculty. Role conflicts experienced by faculty are not found to be related to general job satisfaction but are significantly correlated with faculty disaffection in decisions that affect their work and work environment.