Abstract:
Job satisfaction is one of the key antecedents to organizational performance, growth and
survival. The attitude employees have towards their work significantly affects employees and
organizational performance. The main objective of this study was to develop a job
satisfaction model for organizational performance in armed conflict societies. The study
examined how the effects of armed conflicts affect job satisfaction among workers working
in armed conflict societies. A concurrent triangulation mixed approach, that is a mixture of
qualitative and quantitative was employed to establish the relationship between the effects of
armed conflicts and job satisfaction. The study population comprised 13 organisations drawn
from Tete province. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires from 200
respondents while qualitative data was gathered from 20 participants using an interview
schedule.
The Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and thematic data analysis methods were
used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The hypotheses were tested
using multiple regression analysis, correlational analysis and the t-tests.
The study showed that there is a strong correlation between the effects of armed conflict and
job satisfaction. The intensity of the war determines the level of job satisfaction among
workers working for organisations in armed conflict societies. The study established that job
satisfaction in armed conflict societies is also influenced by the destruction of the economic
infrastructure, destruction of interpersonal relationships, intercommunity violence, political
interference, killings and torture of civilians, deterioration of health and education systems,
economic depression and displacement of people. The study further found out that job
satisfaction in armed conflict societies negatively affects key organizational performance
antecedents such as rate of absenteeism, labour turnover, employee loyalty and commitment,
psychological status of employees and health of employees. Job satisfaction in armed conflict
societies directly and indirectly affects organizational performance, profitability, value of
shares, market share and organizational growth. To minimize the consequences of low job
satisfaction on organizational performance, organizations should put in place measures that
propel job satisfaction such as providing counselling services, social services and financial
and non-financial support. The study concluded that job satisfaction can be increased by any
or all of the following strategies:1) flexible work organisation and establishing an effective
team, 2) provision of secure staff offices and residences, 3) compensating employees for war related injuries and deaths, 4) provision of better social services, 5) provision of leisure,
recreational activities and infrastructure, and 6) provision of counselling platforms.
The study contributed to the body of knowledge by developing a job satisfaction model for
organizational performance in armed conflict societies. Furthermore, contrary to other
researchers whose studies concentrated on job related factors of job satisfaction, this study
focused on how the effects of armed conflict influence job satisfaction.
