The Prevalence of Reinvention Reforms in Local Governments and Their Relationship with Organizational Goal Clarity and Employee Job Satisfaction

Drawing on a sample of U.S. local government employees, this study examines whether the prevalence of reinvention reforms within cities affects the perceived clarity of organizational goals and job satisfaction of workers. Results from an ordered logistic regression and a series of simulated predicated probabilities indicate that job satisfaction and goal clarity are at their highest levels in cities that have a strong reinvention focus; conversely, the probability of average or below-average job satisfaction is higher in cities with a weaker reinvention focus and when goals are more ambiguous. Findings further suggest that reinvention reforms may clarify goals for workers and improve job satisfaction, but that organizations should take separate steps to clarify goals for employees.