INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC SOURCES OF TRANSLATOR SATISFACTION: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24310/Entreculturasertci.vi7-8.11334Keywords:
translation, language industry, task satisfaction, job satisfaction, outsourcing, sociology of translationAbstract
This paper discusses the main results from an online questionnaire on translator satisfaction—a theoretical construct that conceptualizes leading sources of task and job satisfaction in the language industry. The proposed construct distinguishes between intrinsic and extrinsic sources of satisfaction using Herzberg’s two-factor framework and enumerates the constituents of translator satisfaction. Statistical analysis allows this study to quantify these constituents and their correlations. Preliminary results reveal that crucial sources of task satisfaction include task pride, ability to perform a variety of tasks, and successful project completion. Major sources of job satisfaction include professional skills of team members, a continuous relationship with clients, and clients’ understanding of the translation process. Low income and requests for discounts are found to be some of the sources of dissatisfaction. The findings from this study can be used to investigate new approaches for retention and human resource management.
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References
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Bandura, A. (1982). “The Assessment and Predictive Generality of Self-percepts of Efficacy”, Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 13, 195–199.
––– (1995). Self-Efficacy in Changing Societies. Cambridge/New York, Cambridge University Press.
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Calvo-Salguero, A. et al. (2011). “Work–Family and Family–Work Conflict: Does Intrinsic–Extrinsic Satisfaction Mediate the Prediction of General Job Satisfaction?”, The Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 145(5), 435–461.
Dam, H.V. y K. K. Zethsen. (2010). “Translator status - helpers and opponents in the ongoing battle of an emerging profession”, Target, 22(2), 194–211.
––– (2011). “The Status of Professional Business Translators on the Danish Market: A Comparative Study of Company, Agency and Freelance Translators”, Meta: Translators’ Journal, 56(4), 976–997.
De Palma, D. A. y R. S. Beninatto. (2008). Localization Vendor Management. Best Practices for Managing Language Service Providers. Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Common Sense Advisory.
http://www.commonsenseadvisory.com/AbstractView.aspx?ArticleID=92. [consulta: 27 Feb 2015].
De Palma, D. A., V. Hegde y H. Pielmeier. (2014). The Language Services Market: 2014. Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Common Sense Advisory. http://www.commonsenseadvisory.com/AbstractView.aspx?ArticleID=21531 [consulta: 27 Feb 2015].
Douthitt, E. A. y J. R. Aiello. (2001). “The Role of Participation and Control in Effects of Computer Monitoring on Fairness Perceptions, Task Satisfaction, and Performance”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(5), 867–874.
Drucker P.F. (Jan./Feb. 1988). “The Coming of the New Organization”, Harvard Business Review on Knowledge Management, 1–19.
Dunne, Keiran J. (2011a). “Integrating Project Management into Translation Curricula: The Kent State University Experience” In Schmitt P. A. et al. (eds.): Translationsforschung. Tagungsberichte des LICTRA 2010 IX. Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, Peter Lang, 183–195.
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–––. (2012): The industrialization of translation: Causes, consequences and challenges. Translation Spaces, 1, 143–168.
Dunlosky, J. y R. A. Bjork. (2008): Handbook of Metamemory and Memory. New York: Psychology Press.
Durban, Chris (2010): The Prosperous Translator. Raleigh, North Carolina, Lulu.
Ehrensberger-Dow, M. y G. Massey (2014): “Translators and machines: Working together”, Man vs. Machine? Proceedings of 20th World Congress of the International Federation of Translators, 1, 199–207.
Fisher, C. D. (1980): “On the Dubious Wisdom of Expecting Job Satisfaction to Correlate with Performance”, Academy of Management Review, 5(4), 607–612.
Garcia, I. (2006): “Translators on translation memories: a blessing or a curse?” In Pym, A. et al. (eds.): Translation Technology and its Teaching (with Much More Mention of Localization). Spain, Intercultural Studies Group, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 97–105.
–––. (2009): “Beyond Translation Memory: Computers and the Professional Translator”, JoSTrans. The Journal of Specialised Translation, 12, 99–214.
Goldstein, Kurt (1939): The Organism: A Holistic Approach to Biology Derived from Pathological Data in Man. New York, American Book Company.
Gouadec, Daniel (2007): Translation as a Profession. Amsterdam/Philadelphia, John Benjamins.
Hackman, R. J. y G. R. Oldham. (1980): Work Redesign. Reading, MA, Addison-Wesley.
Heiman, Gary W. (2001): Understanding research methods and statistics: an integrated introduction for psychology. Boston, MA, Houghton Mifflin.
Herzberg, Frederick (1959): The Motivation to Work. New York, John Wiley & Sons.
––– (1966): Work and the Nature of Man. Cleveland, World Publishing Company.
Hulin, C. L. y Smith, P. Cain. (1964): “Sex Differences in Job Satisfaction”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 48(2), 88–92.
Kaplan, Abraham (1964): The Conduct of Inquiry: Methodology for Behavioral Science. San Francisco, Chandler Publishing Company.
Katan, D. (2009): “Occupation or profession: A survey of the translators’ world” In Sela-Sheffy R. and M. Shlesinger. (eds.): Profession, Identity and Status: Translators and Interpreters as an Occupational Group. Special issue of Translation and Interpreting Studies, 4(2), 187–209.
Katzell, Raymond A. (1979): “Changing Attitudes toward Work” In Kerr C. and J. M. Rosow. (eds.): Work in America: The Decade Ahead. New York, Van
Nostrand Reinhold, 35–57.Kelly, N. y R. G. Stewart (2010): The Top 35 Language Service Providers. Lowell, MA, Common Sense Advisory.
Korman, A. K. (1969). “Self-esteem as a Moderator in Vocational Choice: Replications and Extensions”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 53(3), 188–192
Likert, R. (1932). “A Technique for the Measurement of Attitudes”, Archives of Psychology, 140, 5–55.
Lock, Dennis (2007). Project Management. Aldershot, England, Gower.
Locke, E. A. (1976). “The Nature and Causes of Job Satisfaction” In Dunnette M. D. et al. (eds): Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Chicago, IL, Rand McNally, 1297–1349.
Maslow, Abraham H. (1954). Motivation and Personality. New York, Harper.
Mason, C. M. y M.A. Griffin. (2002). “Group Task Satisfaction: Applying the Construct of Job Satisfaction to Groups”, Small Group Research, 33, 271–312.
McKay, Corinne (2006). How to Succeed As a Freelance Translator. N.p., Two Rat Press.
Parker, S. K., H. M. Williams y N. Turner. (2006). “Modeling the Antecedents of Proactive Behavior at Work”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(3), 636–652.
Project Management Institute. (2008). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). 4th ed. Newtown Square, PA, Project Management Institute.
Pym, A. et al. (2013). The Status of the Translation Profession in the European Union. London, Anthem Press.
–––. (2012). The Status of the Translation Profession in the European Union. Luxembourg, European Commission.
Rinsche, A. y N. Portera-Zanotti. (2009). Study on the Size of the Language Industry in the EU. Study Report to the Directorate-General for Translation. Surrey, European Commission/The Language Technology Center.
Robinson, Douglas (1997). Becoming a Translator: An Accelerated Course. London/New York, Routledge.
Rodríguez-Castro, M. (2013). “The project manager and virtual translation teams: Critical factors”, Translation Spaces, 2, 37–62.
Ruokonen, M. (2013). “Studing Translator Status: Three Points of View” [Eronen, M. & M. Rodi-Risberg (toim.) 2013. Haasteena näkökulma, Perspektivet som utmaning, Point of view as challenge], Perspektivität als Herausforderung. VAKKI Publications 2. Vaasa, 327–338.
http://www.vakki.net/publications/2013/VAKKI2013_Ruokonen.pdf [consulta: 28 Feb 2015]
Sela-Sheffy, R. (2005). “How to be a (recognized) translator: Rethinking habitus, norms, and the field of translation”, Target, 17, 1–26.
Shreve, G. M. (2002). “Knowing Translation: Cognitive and Experiential Aspects of Translation Expertise from the Perspective of Expertise Studies” In Riccardi A. (ed.): Translation Studies. Perspectives on an Emerging Discipline. Cambridge, University Press, 150–171.
––– (2009). “Recipient-Orientation and Metacognition in the Translation Process” In Dimitriu R. (ed.): Translators and their Readers. Homage to Eugene A. Nida. Les Editions du Hasard. Brussels, 255–270.
Shreve, G. M. y E. Angelone (2010). Translation and cognition. Amsterdam, John Benjamins.
Stajkovic, A. y F. Luthans. (2003). “Behavioral Management and Task Performance in Organizations: Conceptual Background, Meta-analysis, and Test of Alternative Models”, Personnel Psychology, 56, 155–194.
Stoeller, Willem. (Apr/May 2004). “Guide to Project Management”, Multilingual Computing & Technology 63, 3–6.
––– (2011). “Global Virtual Teams” In Dunne K. J. and E. S. Dunne (eds.): Translation and Localization Project Management: The Art of the Possible. American Translators Association Scholarly Monograph Series, Vol. 16. Amsterdam; Philadelphia, John Benjamins, 289–347.
Taravella, A. y A. O. Villeneuve (2013). “Acknowledging the Needs of Computer-Assisted Translation Tools Users: The Human Perspective in Human-Machine Translation”, JoSTrans. The Journal of Specialised Translation, 19, 62–74.
Turner, Rodney J. (2009). The Handbook of Project-Based Management: Leading Strategic Change in Organizations. 3rd ed. New York, McGraw-Hill.
United States Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics (USDL). (2010). Interpreters and Translators. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition. Washington, GPO.
Vroom, Victor H. (1964). Work and Motivation. New York, John Wiley & Sons.
WorldatWork/Dieringer Research Group, Inc. (2009). “Telework Revs Up as More Employers Offer Work Flexibility”, WorldatWork. http://www.worldatwork.org. [consulta: 28 Feb 2015].
Zhang, Y., X. Yao y J. O. Cheong. (2011). “City Managers’ Job Satisfaction and Frustration: Factors and Implications”, The American Review of Public Administration, 41(6), 670–685.
Bandura, A. (1982). “The Assessment and Predictive Generality of Self-percepts of Efficacy”, Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 13, 195–199.
––– (1995). Self-Efficacy in Changing Societies. Cambridge/New York, Cambridge University Press.
Bandura, A. y D. Cervone. (1983). “Self-evaluative and Self-efficacy Mechanisms Governing the Motivational Effects of Goal Systems”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45, 1017–1028.
Barnett, D. W. et al. (2007). “Decision-making Validity in Response to Intervention,” In Jimerson S. R. et al. (eds.): Handbook of Response to Intervention: The Science and Practice of Assessment and Intervention. New York, Springer.
Boucau, F. (2006). “The European Translation Markets. Updated Facts and Figures 2006–2010”, Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference of the European Union of Associations of Translation Companies, EUATC, Brussels, November 9, 2006.
Calvo-Salguero, A. et al. (2011). “Work–Family and Family–Work Conflict: Does Intrinsic–Extrinsic Satisfaction Mediate the Prediction of General Job Satisfaction?”, The Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 145(5), 435–461.
Dam, H.V. y K. K. Zethsen. (2010). “Translator status - helpers and opponents in the ongoing battle of an emerging profession”, Target, 22(2), 194–211.
––– (2011). “The Status of Professional Business Translators on the Danish Market: A Comparative Study of Company, Agency and Freelance Translators”, Meta: Translators’ Journal, 56(4), 976–997.
De Palma, D. A. y R. S. Beninatto. (2008). Localization Vendor Management. Best Practices for Managing Language Service Providers. Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Common Sense Advisory.
http://www.commonsenseadvisory.com/AbstractView.aspx?ArticleID=92. [consulta: 27 Feb 2015].
De Palma, D. A., V. Hegde y H. Pielmeier. (2014). The Language Services Market: 2014. Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Common Sense Advisory. http://www.commonsenseadvisory.com/AbstractView.aspx?ArticleID=21531 [consulta: 27 Feb 2015].
Douthitt, E. A. y J. R. Aiello. (2001). “The Role of Participation and Control in Effects of Computer Monitoring on Fairness Perceptions, Task Satisfaction, and Performance”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(5), 867–874.
Drucker P.F. (Jan./Feb. 1988). “The Coming of the New Organization”, Harvard Business Review on Knowledge Management, 1–19.
Dunne, Keiran J. (2011a). “Integrating Project Management into Translation Curricula: The Kent State University Experience” In Schmitt P. A. et al. (eds.): Translationsforschung. Tagungsberichte des LICTRA 2010 IX. Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, Peter Lang, 183–195.
––– (2011b). “Project Time Management in Translation and Localization”. I
Dunne K. J. and E. S. Dunne (eds.): Translation and Localization Project Management: The Art of the Possible. American Translators Association Scholarly Monograph Series, Vol. 16. Amsterdam; Philadelphia, John Benjamins, 117–152.
–––. (2012): The industrialization of translation: Causes, consequences and challenges. Translation Spaces, 1, 143–168.
Dunlosky, J. y R. A. Bjork. (2008): Handbook of Metamemory and Memory. New York: Psychology Press.
Durban, Chris (2010): The Prosperous Translator. Raleigh, North Carolina, Lulu.
Ehrensberger-Dow, M. y G. Massey (2014): “Translators and machines: Working together”, Man vs. Machine? Proceedings of 20th World Congress of the International Federation of Translators, 1, 199–207.
Fisher, C. D. (1980): “On the Dubious Wisdom of Expecting Job Satisfaction to Correlate with Performance”, Academy of Management Review, 5(4), 607–612.
Garcia, I. (2006): “Translators on translation memories: a blessing or a curse?” In Pym, A. et al. (eds.): Translation Technology and its Teaching (with Much More Mention of Localization). Spain, Intercultural Studies Group, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 97–105.
–––. (2009): “Beyond Translation Memory: Computers and the Professional Translator”, JoSTrans. The Journal of Specialised Translation, 12, 99–214.
Goldstein, Kurt (1939): The Organism: A Holistic Approach to Biology Derived from Pathological Data in Man. New York, American Book Company.
Gouadec, Daniel (2007): Translation as a Profession. Amsterdam/Philadelphia, John Benjamins.
Hackman, R. J. y G. R. Oldham. (1980): Work Redesign. Reading, MA, Addison-Wesley.
Heiman, Gary W. (2001): Understanding research methods and statistics: an integrated introduction for psychology. Boston, MA, Houghton Mifflin.
Herzberg, Frederick (1959): The Motivation to Work. New York, John Wiley & Sons.
––– (1966): Work and the Nature of Man. Cleveland, World Publishing Company.
Hulin, C. L. y Smith, P. Cain. (1964): “Sex Differences in Job Satisfaction”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 48(2), 88–92.
Kaplan, Abraham (1964): The Conduct of Inquiry: Methodology for Behavioral Science. San Francisco, Chandler Publishing Company.
Katan, D. (2009): “Occupation or profession: A survey of the translators’ world” In Sela-Sheffy R. and M. Shlesinger. (eds.): Profession, Identity and Status: Translators and Interpreters as an Occupational Group. Special issue of Translation and Interpreting Studies, 4(2), 187–209.
Katzell, Raymond A. (1979): “Changing Attitudes toward Work” In Kerr C. and J. M. Rosow. (eds.): Work in America: The Decade Ahead. New York, Van
Nostrand Reinhold, 35–57.Kelly, N. y R. G. Stewart (2010): The Top 35 Language Service Providers. Lowell, MA, Common Sense Advisory.
Korman, A. K. (1969). “Self-esteem as a Moderator in Vocational Choice: Replications and Extensions”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 53(3), 188–192
Likert, R. (1932). “A Technique for the Measurement of Attitudes”, Archives of Psychology, 140, 5–55.
Lock, Dennis (2007). Project Management. Aldershot, England, Gower.
Locke, E. A. (1976). “The Nature and Causes of Job Satisfaction” In Dunnette M. D. et al. (eds): Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Chicago, IL, Rand McNally, 1297–1349.
Maslow, Abraham H. (1954). Motivation and Personality. New York, Harper.
Mason, C. M. y M.A. Griffin. (2002). “Group Task Satisfaction: Applying the Construct of Job Satisfaction to Groups”, Small Group Research, 33, 271–312.
McKay, Corinne (2006). How to Succeed As a Freelance Translator. N.p., Two Rat Press.
Parker, S. K., H. M. Williams y N. Turner. (2006). “Modeling the Antecedents of Proactive Behavior at Work”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(3), 636–652.
Project Management Institute. (2008). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). 4th ed. Newtown Square, PA, Project Management Institute.
Pym, A. et al. (2013). The Status of the Translation Profession in the European Union. London, Anthem Press.
–––. (2012). The Status of the Translation Profession in the European Union. Luxembourg, European Commission.
Rinsche, A. y N. Portera-Zanotti. (2009). Study on the Size of the Language Industry in the EU. Study Report to the Directorate-General for Translation. Surrey, European Commission/The Language Technology Center.
Robinson, Douglas (1997). Becoming a Translator: An Accelerated Course. London/New York, Routledge.
Rodríguez-Castro, M. (2013). “The project manager and virtual translation teams: Critical factors”, Translation Spaces, 2, 37–62.
Ruokonen, M. (2013). “Studing Translator Status: Three Points of View” [Eronen, M. & M. Rodi-Risberg (toim.) 2013. Haasteena näkökulma, Perspektivet som utmaning, Point of view as challenge], Perspektivität als Herausforderung. VAKKI Publications 2. Vaasa, 327–338.
http://www.vakki.net/publications/2013/VAKKI2013_Ruokonen.pdf [consulta: 28 Feb 2015]
Sela-Sheffy, R. (2005). “How to be a (recognized) translator: Rethinking habitus, norms, and the field of translation”, Target, 17, 1–26.
Shreve, G. M. (2002). “Knowing Translation: Cognitive and Experiential Aspects of Translation Expertise from the Perspective of Expertise Studies” In Riccardi A. (ed.): Translation Studies. Perspectives on an Emerging Discipline. Cambridge, University Press, 150–171.
––– (2009). “Recipient-Orientation and Metacognition in the Translation Process” In Dimitriu R. (ed.): Translators and their Readers. Homage to Eugene A. Nida. Les Editions du Hasard. Brussels, 255–270.
Shreve, G. M. y E. Angelone (2010). Translation and cognition. Amsterdam, John Benjamins.
Stajkovic, A. y F. Luthans. (2003). “Behavioral Management and Task Performance in Organizations: Conceptual Background, Meta-analysis, and Test of Alternative Models”, Personnel Psychology, 56, 155–194.
Stoeller, Willem. (Apr/May 2004). “Guide to Project Management”, Multilingual Computing & Technology 63, 3–6.
––– (2011). “Global Virtual Teams” In Dunne K. J. and E. S. Dunne (eds.): Translation and Localization Project Management: The Art of the Possible. American Translators Association Scholarly Monograph Series, Vol. 16. Amsterdam; Philadelphia, John Benjamins, 289–347.
Taravella, A. y A. O. Villeneuve (2013). “Acknowledging the Needs of Computer-Assisted Translation Tools Users: The Human Perspective in Human-Machine Translation”, JoSTrans. The Journal of Specialised Translation, 19, 62–74.
Turner, Rodney J. (2009). The Handbook of Project-Based Management: Leading Strategic Change in Organizations. 3rd ed. New York, McGraw-Hill.
United States Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics (USDL). (2010). Interpreters and Translators. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition. Washington, GPO.
Vroom, Victor H. (1964). Work and Motivation. New York, John Wiley & Sons.
WorldatWork/Dieringer Research Group, Inc. (2009). “Telework Revs Up as More Employers Offer Work Flexibility”, WorldatWork. http://www.worldatwork.org. [consulta: 28 Feb 2015].
Zhang, Y., X. Yao y J. O. Cheong. (2011). “City Managers’ Job Satisfaction and Frustration: Factors and Implications”, The American Review of Public Administration, 41(6), 670–685.
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Published
2016-01-01
How to Cite
Rodríguez-Castro, M. (2016). INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC SOURCES OF TRANSLATOR SATISFACTION: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY. Entreculturas. Revista De traducción Y comunicación Intercultural, (7-8), 195–229. https://doi.org/10.24310/Entreculturasertci.vi7-8.11334
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