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Journals / Sosyal Siyaset Konferansları Dergisi / 2026 / Sayı: 90

Job Satisfaction among Portfolio and Full-Time Graphic Designers: A Sequential Explanatory Study

Yusuf Eşiyok(SAKARYA UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-3828-9327
Abdulkadir Altınsoy(SAKARYA UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-9631-3268
Pages
194–246
Publication Date
2026-07-21
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The quantitative results showed statistically significant differences favouring full-time work in only three of the 20 items, with no significant differentiation at the subdimension level.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to cf the job satisfaction levels of the same participants under full-time and freelance working conditions within the context of portfolio work, which is increasingly prevalent in the media sector.
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Key Findings & Data:The quantitative results showed statistically significant differences favouring full-time work in only three of the 20 items, with no significant differentiation at the subdimension level.
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Conclusion & Impact:By providing a theoretical and methodological framework for the relationship between flexible work and job satisfaction, the study informs policy and practice discussions on sustainable models prioritising financial stability.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Full Time Work · Freelance Work · Portfolio Work

Abstract

This study aims to cf the job satisfaction levels of the same participants under full-time and freelance working conditions within the context of portfolio work, which is increasingly prevalent in the media sector. Emerging from digital transformation and flexible labour market dynamics, this model involves individuals offering their skills across multiple projects rather than committing to a single employer. Whereas the literature largely examines portfolio workers’ satisfaction through between-group designs, paired comparisons of the same individual across both conditions remain scarce. Based on the idea that autonomy and flexibility shape work preferences, the study adopts a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. In the quantitative phase, the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire was administered to graphic designers working both full-time and freelance under two conditions, and differences were tested with a paired-samples t test. In the qualitative phase, semistructured interviews with participants drawn from the sample were analysed thematically. The quantitative results showed statistically significant differences favouring full-time work in only three of the 20 items, with no significant differentiation at the subdimension level. The qualitative findings indicated that autonomy and project diversity are sources of satisfaction in freelance work, whereas financial uncertainty is the main factor reducing it. The absence of a sharp overall difference was interpreted as the psychologicundefined satisfaction derived from freelance autonomy being counterbalanced by anxiety over financial uncertainty. By providing a theoretical and methodological framework for the relationship between flexible work and job satisfaction, the study informs policy and practice discussions on sustainable models prioritising financial stability.

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Cite This Article

Eşiyok, Y., Altınsoy, A. (2026). Job Satisfaction among Portfolio and Full-Time Graphic Designers: A Sequential Explanatory Study. Sosyal Siyaset Konferansları Dergisi, Sayı: 90, 194–246. https://doi.org/10.26650/jspc.2026.90.1765886

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