Work Satisfaction of Female Scientists in the Serbian Post-Socialist Transformation Context

Abstract

This article studies the level of female scientists’ work satisfaction, and general and gender-related factors that would contribute to greater work satisfaction. We applied an interdisciplinary approach – we draw on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model of (professional) development, sociological analysis of the context and linguistic analysis of the text. A hundred Serbian female scientists filled in the online questionnaire. They reported moderate satisfaction with their work. Thematic analysis of their answers yielded nine general work satisfaction improvement factors: Creating a fair and effective management and improving relations with superiors, Improving social relationships with peers (Bronfenbrenner’s micro- and meso-system), Improving technical resources, Increasing salaries, Professional improvement support, The modernization and application of scientific work, Improving human resources, Establishing transparent, consistent and fair system rules (exosystem) and Combating corruption and nepotism (macrosystem). Six gender-related factors were determined: Overcoming social obstacles related to pregnancy and child-care, Change in attitudes in cases of harassment (micro- and meso-system), Overcoming legal obstacles related to pregnancy and child-care, Change in procedures in cases of harassment (exosystem), Achieving respect and equality, and Changing social image through personal efforts (macrosystem). Recommendations for policy and practice improvement are discussed in the light of the dominant values in the Serbian post-socialist transformation context.

Keywords

• women
• science
• work satisfaction
• post-socialist transformation
• Serbia
• Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model