How can emotional salary influence job satisfaction? Evidence from Portuguese project managers

In an increasingly globalised and competitive environment, strategic human resource management has assumed a crucial role in sustaining organisational performance and long-term competitive advantage. Within this domain, the notion of emotional salary, defined as the set of non-financial rewards and benefits offered to employees, has attracted growing scholarly and managerial attention as a mechanism for enhancing motivation, well-being, and job satisfaction. Despite this rising interest, empirical research analysing emotional salary in project-based contexts remains limited, particularly in Portugal. Addressing this gap, our study explores the relationship between emotional salary and job satisfaction among project managers in Portugal, considering both the higher-order construct and its underlying dimensions. Data were collected via an online survey, yielding 100 valid responses from professionals operating across diverse industries. The empirical analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), allowing for the assessment of both aggregate and disaggregate effects. The findings indicate that emotional salary positively and significantly influences job satisfaction when modeled as a composite construct. However, a more granular analysis reveals that only specific dimensions, such as strategic management and motivation, demonstrate significant effects. These results suggest that project managers do not value all non-financial benefits equally, but rather prioritise those that directly enhance their sense of purpose, recognition, and alignment with organisational objectives. By offering a nuanced perspective on emotional salary within project management contexts, this study contributes to the literature on international human resource management and employee well-being. Furthermore, it provides practical implications for organisations aiming to design more targeted human resource strategies to improve satisfaction and retention among highly skilled professionals.