A case study of factors influencing employment satisfaction in a thai life sciences research institute

Abstract

The objective of this study was to find the level of employment satisfaction in a life sciences research institute staffed by a mix of academic and non-academic staff. Both academic and non-academic staff members were included in the survey. The study population comprised 121 employees at the Institute of Science and Technology for Research and Development, Mahidol University. The instrument for gathering data was in the form of a questionnaire consisting of 27 questions as well as 5 basic demographic questions determining sex, age, level of education, rate of salary and working duration. Employment satisfaction was measured on a five point scale in terms of career progression, employment stability, job characteristic, relationship with colleagues, relationship to immediate supervisor and the physical work environment. Data were analyzed in both univariate and multivariate analyses. From the 121 questionnaires given out, 105 completed questionnaires were returned (86.78%). The majorities of the study population were females, and aged between 31 - 40 years old. In terms of education, the majority of respondents had a Bachelor's degree, earned between 10,001 - 20,000 Baht and had been employed for between 11 and 20 years. Overall, it was determined that the level of satisfaction was moderate, since the relationship with colleagues showed the highest level of satisfaction and career progression showed the lowest. In particular, longer serving staff members were more likely to feel that they were underserved in the provision of short, professional training sources. This is the first analysis of staff from a research institute in a developing country. Although, relatively simple in format, it may have application in other developing and under-developed countries as a quick and simple screening tool to determine the well being of the employees in research institutes. © 2010 Academic Journals.