Abstract:
The present study was designed to compare two extension organizations in
Tanzania: Commodity extension and General extension. Comparisons were made at
three levels. First, to determine whether the two organizations differ in levels of job
satisfaction; second, to determine whether the two organizations also differ in
organizational structure, job design characteristics and personal characteristics of
extension agents; and third, to determine whether the independent variables could
explain the differences in levels of job satisfaction between the two extension
organizations.
Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to extension agents
during their monthly meetings. Data for the study came from 120 General extension
agents and 64 Commodity extension agents. Additional information was obtained
through personal and group interviews and analysis of documents.
The major findings of the study are as follows:
1.
Both at the individual and organizational level of analysis Commodity
extension had significantly higher scores on satisfaction with supervision and satisfaction
with promotion.
2.
Differences in satisfaction with supervision could be explained by differences
in formalization, autonomy and feedback.
3.
Differences in satisfaction with promotion could be explained by differences
in formalization and years of agricultural training.
From these findings the following recommendations are suggested:
1.
To enhance satisfaction with supervision extension organizations should
develop effective communication channels to increase extension agents’ awareness of
rules and procedures governing their jobs. Further, tasks and activities performed by
extension agents should be structured to provide autonomy and feedback.
2.
Satisfaction with promotion can be increased by developing programs to
increase extension agents knowledge of the rules, procedures and communications
governing their work and the organization and by developing a promotion policy that
takes into account individual levels of agricultural training.
