Internal factors influencing job satisfaction in a freight forwarding company

Abstract

This paper examines the issue of job satisfaction within a freight forwarding company. The widespread dissatisfaction coupled with high staff turnover has necessitated a study of this nature. Due to the broad nature of this topic, this study focused specifically on company factors with the intention of determining which of these factors, if at all, were primarily responsible for the dissatisfaction that was prevalent. Company factors, upon which the study was based, were identified to try to assist management understand the full extent of the dissatisfaction. The intention was to identify the specific company factors that were contributing to the dissatisfaction in order to help curb the high level of staff turnover within the company. The study was conducted as staff were leaving at an alarming rate without the necessary steps being taken to address the problem. The methodology that was used was to send out a questionnaire to a broad section of the staff where the company factors were outlined and staff had to rate their level of satisfaction. The results that were obtained outlined which of these company factors contributed to the dissatisfaction that was prevalent. It zoned in on the important issues that needed to be addressed as opposed to addressing issues that were not as important. There were some distinct patterns that were found in the data. None of the factors investigated scored ratings of 4 or 5 (satisfied or highly satisfied) and the results showed a general dissatisfaction within the company.

This research is an invaluable source of information not only to this company, but to other freight forwarding companies to prepare them for similar problems that they may encounter within their companies. It is envisaged that companies who take heed of the findings will not experience high levels of dissatisfaction as well as high staff turnover but they would retain their personnel especially their skilled workforce.