Possible sources of satisfaction in sports organisations

Job satisfaction has become an extremely popular research topic in the field of work and organisational psychology. Although job satisfaction used to be considered as a consequence of certain factors in the beginning, several studies have been published – mainly abroad ­– these days that approach the same as an independent variable, examining job satisfaction separately (Klein, 2007). However, Hungarian research on professional sport has only seldom analysed satisfaction as a factor enhancing performance. There are managers (in rare cases) and specialists focusing on this issue (often team psychologists are responsible for such examinations too) hired for this purpose in foreign teams. ^[1]

Based on this brief literature review and practical experience, it might be claimed that players’ satisfaction in their club and team depends on a number of inter-related factors.

It also goes without saying that the meeting of needs is as important in sport as the undertaking of tasks that match the abilities of athletes.

An athlete’s relationship with his trainer, as well as the professional (a trainer’s well-preparedness enables players to perform better) and emotional (how understanding, tolerant, etc. a trainer is, which does not require him to have an endearing attitude towards players) aspects of such a relationship are determining factors in the way satisfaction emerges.
There are examples of pros and cons concerning the emotional significance of finances: there are players who find money the most important thing, while others do not mind earning less but would not be able to quit their team.

Satisfaction may also stem from having good relationships with teammates, which does not only have emotional but also professional aspects, as a player can only be successful if other members of his team have appropriate skills. Of course, the chances of moving up the career ladder might also motivate certain players (healthy competitors most of all), mainly in personal respects, which can also improve the position of a team a whole.