Date of Publication

Fall 12-8-2014

Document Type

Undergraduate Project

Professor's Name

Katharine A. Burakowski, Ph.D.

Abstract

The purpose of the research study was to explore how Special Olympics’ staff groups differ in response to organizational change. The study was conducted in order to determine if there was a relationship between employees holding various positions within Special Olympics and their level of job satisfaction, specifically during times of change in the organization. Previously, there has been minimal research conducted in the non-profit sector, and Special Olympics exclusively, in terms of linking job satisfaction and organizational change. Thus very little was known on this particular topic. A survey was used in order to collect primary, quantitative data based on the responses of Special Olympics employees in the states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The types of questions asked in this survey related mainly to job satisfaction, organizational culture, organizational change, and demographic information. The results of the study yielded no significant relationship between job satisfaction and staff groupings, or income and age. Although the results did not show a significant relationship between staff grouping, job satisfaction, and organizational change, the findings attempted to fill a gap in the current research. The study could serve as a foundation for other research to grow the current body of knowledge about Special Olympics and/or the non-profit sector.

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