Assessing the Impact of TQM Factors on Employee Satisfaction in Health Centers in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Abstract

Employee satisfaction is one of the Total Quality Management (TQM) principles as indicated by some previous gurus and researchers. The definition of employee satisfaction is not consensus among researchers, as every investigator or scholar defined it according to their perspective. On the other hand, TQM is a viable approach to improving employee satisfaction. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of TQM factors on employee satisfaction in health centers (HC) of the Ministry of Health (MOH). Arising from the several implementing TQM factors, this study identified four factors; top management commitment; human resources; structure; and culture, which have significant correlation and influencing on employee satisfaction or dissatisfaction. An empirical design is employed both for quantitative and qualitative approaches. The main instrument used in this study is the questionnaire and semi-structured interviews which are used to support the interpretation of the current questionnaire results. A survey conducted with a sample of 203 employees from five HCs and 20 employees who participated in a semi-structured interview. This study shows that the employees of the HCs are moderately satisfied with their jobs. The implications and results of this study will assist the top management of HC and policy makers in the MOH to give more attention to employee satisfaction in parallel with patients’ satisfaction to improve the quality services.