Virtual Assistants’ Job Satisfaction and Productivity: A Correlational Study

Niña Grace N. Veto^1, , Jamie S. Cariño¹, Ian Jay P. Saldo² and Gela Mae C. Zamayla¹

¹Integrated Basic Education, San Isidro College, Malaybalay City, 8700 Philippines

²School of Education, San Isidro College, Malaybalay City, 8700 Philippines

Cite this paper:
Niña Grace N. Veto, Jamie S. Cariño, Ian Jay P. Saldo and Gela Mae C. Zamayla. Virtual Assistants’ Job Satisfaction and Productivity: A Correlational Study. American Journal of Educational Research. 2025; 13(2):71-77. doi: 10.12691/education-13-2-5

Abstract

One critical factor that may improve the productivity and efficiency of virtual assistants would be job satisfaction. As remote work and technological progress advance, it also follows that job satisfaction is changing in kind and other ways. Through a quantitative, descriptive-correlational research design, this research will determine the levels of satisfaction and productivity and the relationship among virtual assistants in Bukidnon. The participants were chosen using a convenience sampling technique, and data collection involved adapted survey questionnaires that measured satisfaction and productivity. Fifty respondents participated in this study. They were reached out through social media and answered a Google Forms copy of the survey. Then, the gathered data were analyzed by statistical methods, and results found that virtual assistants experienced high satisfaction, with a mean of 3.25 overall, showing positive attitudes toward their work environment and responsibilities. It also showed that virtual assistants viewed their productivity as high, with a mean of 3.31, which signifies consistent task efficiency and performance. Further statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between job satisfaction and productivity. This implies that as job satisfaction improves, so does productivity, suggesting a mutual influence between these two variables. Thus, based on these findings, further exploration and implementation of strategies to maintain or enhance job satisfaction to ensure productivity is suggested.

Keywords:
descriptive-correlation job satisfaction pay productivity virtual assistants

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Ocean. (2024, July 23). Introduction Virtual assistant services (VAs) have become invaluable assets for companies aiming to enhance efficiency and productivity. Virtual assistant services provide a wide range of services, from administrative support to specialized tasks, enabling businesses to focus on core activities. Linkedin.com. https:// www.linkedin.com/ pulse/ virtual-assistant-services-2024-maximizing-efficiency-ztqze.
[2]	Branka. (2024, February 17). Virtual Assistant Statistics 2024 - TrueList. TrueList. https://truelist.co/blog/virtual-assistant-statistics/? fbclid = IwY2xjawGD6_dle HRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWpqUgDweDKLNp2cuxbJLnS61JhNHIRxCaUZGcqVBx1f1qlFFs-f0-m1qg_ aem_jeX AUksL16NoDL3SGISG-A.
[3]	Ruechuta Tepayakul, & Idsaratt Rinthaisong. (2018). Job satisfaction and employee engagement among human resources staff of Thai Private Higher Education... ResearchGate, 13(2), 68–81. https:// www. researchgate.net/ publication/ 329865318_ Job_ satisfaction _and_ employee_ engagement_among_human_resources_staff_of_Thai_Private_Higher_Education_Institutions.
[4]	Qiu, F., & Dauth, T. (2021). Virtual Work intensity, Job satisfaction, and the Mediating Role of work-family balance: a Study of Employees in Germany and China. German Journal of Human Resource Management: Zeitschrift Für Personalforschung, 36(1), 239700222199822.
[5]	Diamantidis, A. D., & Chatzoglou, P. (2019). Factors Affecting Employee performance: an Empirical Approach. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 68(1), 171–193.
[6]	Community Southwark. (2022, October 31). Acas webinar: Sickness absence and supporting your staff - Community Southwark. Community Southwark. https:// communitysouthwark.org/ event/acas-webinar-sickness-absence-and-supporting-your-staff/.
[7]	Ntanjana, S. (2022). Comparison of employee productivity levels between traditional and virtual offices at tertiary institutions in the Western Cape. Etd.cput.ac.za. https:// etd.cput.ac.za/ handle/ 20.500.11838/3786.
[8]	Nekvinda, A. (2024, January 18). The Link Between Employee Satisfaction and Productivity. Hubstaff Blog. https://hubstaff.com/blog/employee-satisfaction-and-productivity/.
[9]	Maharjan, R. (2019). Job Satisfaction, Gender and Salary: A Study on Correlation. The Batuk, 5(1), 59–69.
[10]	Judge, T. A., Piccolo, R. F., Podsakoff, N. P., Shaw, J. C., & Rich, B. L. (2010). The relationship between pay and job satisfaction: A meta-analysis of the literature. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 77(2), 157–167.
[11]	Nasar, A., Nugraha, Y. E., NasaruddIn, N., & Edu, S. E. (2024, February 15). The Effect of Job Promotion and Job Characteristics on Employee Performance Mediated Job Satisfaction. Www.atlantis-Press.com; Atlantis Press.
[12]	Garba, F., & Idris , S. (2022). Effect of Promotion on Job Satisfaction: A Study of Tertiary. Studocu. https:// www.studocu.com/row/document/yobe-state-university-damaturu/ computer-science/ijmsssr-00566-essy-guide/67348657.
[13]	Razak, A., Sarpan, S., & Ramlan, R. (2018). Influence of Promotion and Job Satisfaction on Employee Performance. Journal of Accounting, Business and Finance Research, 3(1), 18–27.
[14]	Yean, T. F., Johari, J., Yahya, K. K., & Chin, T. L. (2022). Determinants of Job Dissatisfaction and Its Impact on the Counterproductive Work Behavior of University Staff. SAGE Open, 12(3), 215824402211232. sagepub.
[15]	Sidharthan, K., & Zahrah, N. (2024). The Impact of Supervisor Support and Work Environment on Job Satisfaction among Bank Employees in Cyberjaya. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(10).
[16]	Memon, A. H., Khahro, S. H., Memon, N. A., Memon, Z. A., & Mustafa, A. (2023). Relationship between Job Satisfaction and Employee Performance in the Construction Industry of Pakistan. Sustainability, 15(11), 8699–8699.
[17]	Wang, Y. (2024). Factors Affecting Employees’ Job Satisfaction: Organizational and Individual Levels. SHS Web of Conferences, 181, 01037–01037.
[18]	Sarwar, S., & Abugre, J. (2013). The Influence of Rewards and Job Satisfaction on Employees in the Service Industry Swansea University, Wales, UK. The Business & Management Review, 3, 22-32. - References - Scientific Research Publishing. Scirp.org. https:// www.scirp.org/ reference/referencespapers?referenceid=1790134.
[19]	Varnita Kerketta, & Chauhan, D. S. (2023). Impact of Reward and Recognition on Job Satisfaction and Motivation. IRE Journals, 6(12), 1245–1253. https://www.irejournals.com/paper-details/1704783/.
[20]	Bahani. (2013). The Relationship between Job Satisfaction and Job Performance A Case Study of a Malaysian Electronic Organization. - References - Scientific Research Publishing. Scirp.org.
[21]	Kosec, Z., Sekulic, S., Wilson-Gahan, S., Rostohar, K., Tusak, M., & Bon, M. (2022). Correlation between Employee Performance, Well-Being, Job Satisfaction, and Life Satisfaction in Sedentary Jobs in Slovenian Enterprises. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 10427.
[22]	Bateman, G. (2009b). Employee perceptions of co-worker support and its effect on job satisfaction, work stress and intention to quit. Ir.canterbury.ac.nz. https:// ir.canterbury.ac.nz/ items/ aebe138a-eaf0- 4176-9952-60c7896c7577.
[23]	Zhenjing, G., Chupradit, S., Ku, K. Y., Nassani, A. A., & Haffar, M. (2022). Impact of employees’ workplace environment on employees’ performance: A multi-mediation model. Frontiers in Public Health, 10(890400). NCBI.
[24]	Susanti Saragih. (2011, December). The Effects of Job Autonomy on Work Outcomes: Self Efficacy as an Intervening Variable. ResearchGate; Ac Prasetiya Mulya Publishing. https:// www.researchgate.net/ publication/ 308058711_The_Effects_of_Job_Autonomy_on_Work_Outcomes_Self_Efficacy_as_an_Intervening_Variable.
[25]	Enyan, M., Bangura, J. N., Mangue, M. P. A. A., & Abban, O. J. (2023). IMPACT OF COMMUNICATION ON EMPLOYEES’ JOB SATISFACTION-A REVIEW. EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR), 9(7), 1–1. https:/ /eprajournals.com/ IJMR/article/11021.
[26]	Desa, N. M., Abu Hassan Asaari, M. H., Razak, A. A., & Diyanah Abd Jabar, N. (2019). Communication and Job Satisfaction among Workers in the Department of Trade Union Affairs in the Northern State of Malaysia. European Scientific Journal ESJ, 15(28).
[27]	Caldarescu, G., Florea, L., Lohan, N. M., & Bernevig, M.-A. (2022). Investigating the relationship between job satisfaction, communication style, employee behavior in conflict situations. MATEC Web of Conferences, 354, 00018.
[28]	Montuori, P., Sorrentino, M., Sarnacchiaro, P., Di Duca, F., Nardo, A., Ferrante, B., D’Angelo, D., Di Sarno, S., Pennino, F., Masucci, A., Triassi, M., & Nardone, A. (2022). Job Satisfaction: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Analysis in a Well-Educated Population. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 14214.
[29]	Susanto, P., Hoque, M. E., Jannat, T., Emely, B., Zona, M. A., & Islam, M. A. (2022). Work-Life balance, job satisfaction, and job performance of smes employees: The moderating role of family-supportive supervisor behaviors. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(1). Frontiersin.
[30]	ProtopVA. (2023, September 26). In a world where time is a precious resource, efficient time management is the key to unlocking productivity and success. Today, we delve into the strategies and tools that virtual assistants use to help individuals and businesses optimize their time and boost productivity. Linkedin.com. https:// www.linkedin.com/ pulse/role-virtual-assistants-time-management-productivity-protopva.
[31]	Stealth Agents. (2024, January 5). How do virtual assistants help team projects and collaborations? - Stealth Agents. Stealth Agents. https://stealthagents.com/docs/virtual-assistants-team-projects-and-collaborations/.
[32]	Griep, Y., Vranjes, I., Hooff, van, & Geurts, S. (2021, October 26). Technology in the Workplace: Opportunities and Challenges. ResearchGate; unknown. https:// www.researchgate.net/ publication/ 355580474_ Technology_ _the_Workplace_Opportunities_and_Challenges.
[33]	Mafini, C., & Pooe, D. R. I. (2013). The relationship between employee satisfaction and organisational performance: Evidence from a South African government department. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 39(1), 9. https:// sajip.co.za/ index.php/ sajip/article/view/1090/1332.
[34]	Shobe, K. (2018). Productivity Driven by Job Satisfaction, Physical Work Environment, Management Support and Job Autonomy. Business and Economics Journal, 09(02).
[35]	Csikortos, S. (2019, February). Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment, and Perceived Social Support among Virtual Workers - ProQuest. Www.proquest.com. https:// www. proquest.com/ openview/ e016c19279299cfc74105b118178c273/1?pq-origsite = gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=.