Career success and satisfaction: a comparative study in nine countries

Abstract

Purpose

This project aims to examine levels of career and life satisfaction among successful women in nine countries in the Americas.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured survey and in‐depth interviews were used, and a variety of occupations, demographics, and personality characteristics assessed – 1,146 successful women from nine countries in the USA responded the survey: 105 from Argentina, 210 from Brazil, 199 from Canada, 84 from Chile, 232 from Mexico, 126 from the USA, and 190 from three countries in the West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica, SVG).

Findings

Results show no differences in satisfaction based on occupation or country and most demographic variables investigated did not have a significant relationship with satisfaction. Age had a small, significant, relationship, with satisfaction increasing with age; married women were significantly more satisfied than single women. Higher scores on self efficacy and need for achievement, and a greater internal locus of control were all related to higher levels of satisfaction. The relationship between career satisfaction and general life satisfaction was stronger in Argentina and Chile that in the other countries.

Originality/value

Extends understanding of professional success and satisfaction, in terms of demographic variables and personality, as well as geographically.

Citation

Punnett, B.J., Duffy, J.A., Fox, S., Gregory, A., Lituchy, T., Miller, J., Inés Monserrat, S., Olivas‐Luján, M.R. and Bastos F. Santos, N.M. (2007), "Career success and satisfaction: a comparative study in nine countries", Women in Management Review, Vol. 22 No. 5, pp. 371-390. https://doi.org/10.1108/09649420710761446