THE ROLE OF JOB CONTENTS ON ACADEMIC STAFF TURNOVER INTENTIONS AMONG UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA: A DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CONTEXT

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the role of job contents on academic staff turnover intentions in Kenyan Universities
 Materials and Methods: The study was guided by a positivism research philosophy and a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. The study population was 17210 academic staff in chartered universities in Kenya from whom a sample of 364 academic staff was drawn. A multistage sampling technique was used. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings were presented using tables, charts, and graphs.
 Results: The study found that the relationship between job contents and academic staff turnover intentions was negative and statistically significant The study concluded that the academic staff agreed that they were happy with work tasks, job contents, duties, responsibilities, achievement, success, recognition, job independence, autonomy, and status in the university and society. Employee satisfaction with job content leads to low turnover intentions.
 A unique contribution to theory, practice, and policy: The study findings validate Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory. Results indicate that the theory is applicable in the study of staff turnover intentions. In addition, the findings may in the future serve as a platform for additional studies in the same subject for other academics, students and researchers. Human Resource managers would benefit from the recommendations set out in this study to retain employees by understanding the role of job content in employee turnover.