The notion of employee engagement and satisfaction has long been something of a mystery. What drives, discourages or engages workers? While every employee is different - as is every business - new research may shed some light on at least one aspect of employee happiness.

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review published a study this week by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth that found a clear connection between employee satisfaction and a company's perceived "environmental friendliness."

"The results of our study confirm our first hypothesis by revealing that there is a significant positive relationship between perceived environmental performance and employee satisfaction," wrote researchers Cassandra Wilson and Adam Sulkowski. "One can say with 99.9 percent confidence that the relationship exists as hypothesized."

For green tech entrepreneurs looking to incorporate in California, the research may be an encouraging boost of confidence, as the state has largely spearheaded the nation's clean energy movement.

But perhaps even more surprising is that the study also found no evidence of a link between employee happiness and a company's financial success - a finding that may give new meaning to the old adage, "Money can't buy happiness."

Tags : ca, operations, small business management

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Posted: Feb 9th, 2011