| The goal of this research was to determine the level of satisfaction of retail managers with their college education. A modified theoretical model of consumer satisfaction was used. It proposed demographic characteristics, college training, and the level of present job satisfaction and stress would influence satisfaction with college education. The data were collected using a web-based survey from over 100 respondents. The majority of respondents were satisfied with most areas of their college education. However, less than 50% of the respondents were satisfied with education in retailing, finance, inventory management, and budgeting. There were few differences in levels of satisfaction by college business degree, gender, age, or income.;Employment satisfaction and stress was measured using the Abridged Job Description Index, Job in General scale, and the Stress in General scale. Regression analysis indicated job satisfaction and job-associated stress had little relationship to satisfaction with education.;The study limitations concluded the Model of Satisfaction with Undergraduate Education was flawed. It did not use a random sample. While the sample size was adequate, the sample was homogeneous with more than 65% from the University of Arkansas.;The major implications of this study were that the proposed theoretical model was inaccurate, the courses in retailing and related area need improvement, and both the respondent's demographic characteristics and their present job have little bearing on their level of satisfaction with their college education. Future researchers need to revise the theoretical model, use a large random sample, and improve on the questionnaire. |
