Factors influencing employees' job satisfaction: a case of University of Nairobi Enterprises and Services (UNES)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing employee's job satisfaction at University of Nairobi Enterprises and Services (UNES) which is the commercial arm of the University of Nairobi created to facilitate efficient use of institutional resources, including those represented by human capacity within the ranks of academia. To achieve this objective, the study explored four independent variables of job satisfaction, namely, training, remuneration, motivation and work environment while the dependent variable is job satisfaction among UNES employees.

The rationale for the study was derived from the observation that some employees of UNES seem better adjusted and happy at work and are able to cope well with the demands of the company while others are not. Another observation was the management's new challenge at UNES to maintain a workforce that performs concertedly to achieve the company goals. This study, is based on a qualitative methodology. Data was collected using a questionnaire containing Likert scale type questions which were administered to staff members, where the researcher dropped and picked them after three days to allow the respondents' time to fill them. These questionnaires where then edited and the data collected analyzed using the SPSS computer package.

The major findings of this investigation were that four factors, namely training, remuneration, motivation and work environment directly contribute towards employee's job satisfaction. The study recommends that interventions should be carried out to increase levels of job satisfaction among UNES employees this is important as job satisfaction has a strong correlation with job performance. It also recommends on how management can eliminate low motivation and job dissatisfaction amongst employees by reinforcing relevant human resources policies, improving working conditions and compensation.