Global financial crisis and job satisfaction of atypical workers : the case of Taiwan

Abstract

Since September 2008, global and regional employment markets have been seriously undermined as a result of the global financial crisis. This article analyses how the Taiwanese labour market, particularly the market for atypical labour, has been affected by the current global financial crisis and examines whether workers have experienced a significant difference in their level of job satisfaction (JS) as a result of the crisis. The path analysis for the ‘gap in job satisfaction’ (GiJS) before and after the global financial crisis shows that there are significant differences in the GiJS among respondents, which can be attributed to several factors: most importantly, type of work, followed by educational level, and, finally, monthly income. Gender has less effect on the GiJS than other variables; however, it does affect the GiJS insofar as it influences type of work and monthly income. As a result of the global financial crisis, atypical workers, workers with little education and poorly paid workers have significantly lower JS than workers engaged in typical employment, well-educated workers and well-paid workers. The three disadvantaged groups have experienced a greater reduction of JS than the other groups.