Job orientation, perceptions, and satisfaction a study of information technology professionals in Singapore

Abstract In this paper, we develop a conceptual model for job satisfaction vis-a-vis technical or managerial orientation of the information technology (IT) professional's job. We suggest that the linkage is mediated by perceptions of the professional on the “micro-environment” of the job (occupational pay fairness and occupational advancement prospects) as well as on the “macro-environment” of the job (organizational progressiveness posture and organizational cohesiveness). The model was supported empirically by testing a sample of 140 IT professionals in Singapore. We found that a high degree of technical orientation results in the perception that moving into management would bring better pay and advancement prospects; this then leads to job dissatisfaction. Further, a technical orientation brings a perception that the organization is a less progressive place and is held together by an emphasis on procedures rather than on accomplishments. On a broader perspective, our findings would be useful for Singapore policy makers in national IT manpower planning as well as in fine-tuning its implementation of the current vision of Singapore as an “intelligent” island by the turn of the century.