Introduction & Literature Review of Impact of Job Satisfaction on Employees Performance in Banks in Oman

            In the modern era of business, where dynamics have changed in so many ways, the need for more capable and satisfied human resource is increasing. The businesses may have great ideas, but they cannot be executed without skilled, efficient, satisfied and committed human resources. In today’s competitive landscape, the business organizations have to deal with many challenges, and one of these challenges is holding skilful and experienced employees and minimizing the employee turnover rate. The costs of hiring employees and then training them are important factors to retain employees. But the issue in hand for business organizations is that how they can retain employees and get best out of them. The answer for this question lies in the aspects of job satisfaction, which are associated with a job. The research has looked at job satisfaction and employees performance in so many ways, as they are certainly closely related to each other. The job satisfaction plays a crucial role in enhancing the level of performance of employees (Mafini & Pooe, 2012)

            It was mentioned earlier that new era of business with changing competitive landscape is throwing various challenges for businesses. So, there is nothing different for the banking sector as well. In recent global business era, the retail banks have to deal with so many challenges like facing threats from even institutions, which are not related to banking sector. It is true that new business dynamics are also coming with so many opportunities for banks, but they are also facing various competitive challenges, and one of these major challenges is managing their employees effectively so that they remain committed and loyal to the organizations, and use their utmost skills and capabilities to achieve organizational aims and objectives. To achieve this level of excellence and commitment from employees, the banks have to keep them satisfied with various means. The primary focus of this paper is to investigate the issue of job satisfaction that how it plays its role in employees performance in banking sector of Oman. Different job characteristics, aspects and individual attributes will be analyzed in detail to see how they are related with employees’ performance and job satisfaction.

1.20 Problem Statement of Impact of Job Satisfaction on Employees Performance in Banks in Oman

            The banking sector is having various opportunities but few challenges at the same time. The major problem for banks is to keep their employees satisfied from their jobs as their job satisfaction can impact their performance. So, it is imperative for banks in Oman to know that what impact is made by job satisfaction on employees’ performance, and if this impact is positive then what attributes were associated with it, and if job satisfaction is not impacting employees performance in a positive manner, then what reasons are behind that.

1.21 Theoretical Concepts and Framework of Impact of Job Satisfaction on Employees Performance in Banks in Oman

            In any given workplace, job satisfaction remains to be the most important factor related to employees and their job performance. This relation is certainly not a simple one to understand, but it has many aspects to look at. To understand the fact that which factors of job are critical to impact job satisfaction that ultimately has its impact on performance of employees. For this purpose, the study will go through different theoretical frameworks to understand different aspects of the topic. Different theories related to job satisfaction and employees’ performance will be reviewed. One of these theories is Hierarchy of needs. This theory was developed by Maslow and it actually examines factors, which play their part in job satisfaction. This theory has suggested a hierarchy with five levels to depict hierarchy of needs. The other important theory to be reviewed in this research is Job Characteristics Model. The primary focus of this theory is to look at motivational job characteristics, which are encouraged by the work environment. This theory has identified five major job characteristics to talk about (Hassard, et al., n.d.)

1.22 Literature Review of Impact of Job Satisfaction on Employees Performance in Banks in Oman

            The research has looked at the relationship of job satisfaction with employee performance that what factors are more crucial than the others. A research study was conducted in 2015, which tried to examine the impact of job satisfaction, equity and job attitude on performance of employees. The research data was collected by reviewing the literature. The previous theoretical as well as empirical research studies were examined by the research to see that what relationship is there between dependent and independent variables. After analyzing the literature, the researcher concluded that there is a positive relation between performance of employees and their job satisfaction, equity & job attitude, which means that these factors do play their part in better performance of employees (Inuwa, 2015)

            One of the important factors, which can play its part in job satisfaction is that how much job stress is being carried by employees in a given work environment. A study was conducted to understand that what kind of jobs stress variables play their part in affecting employee performance. The study was also looking to find a relationship between employee performance and job stress. The study was conducted in Oman’s Petroleum Development and 65 participants participated in the study. The study found out that work overload as well as skills’ underutilization is dominating variables in increasing job stress. So, company should turn its focus to develop the skills of employees so that job stress elements can be mitigated (Jalagat, 2017)

            It is often staid that productive employees are the ones, who are happy and satisfied from their job. It means that employee performance and productivity is certainly impact by the level of job satisfaction. So, a study was conducted in banking context in 2013. The aim of the research study was to investigate that which factors are contributing to job satisfaction of employees working in Canara Bank of Delhi, India. The survey method was used to collect data for this study and researchers found out that there are various variables, which contribute to job satisfaction of employees. Some of these factors included working hours, work load, training & development programs, system of performance appraisal as well as salary of the employees. It means that if these factors will dominate in an organization, then there are more chances of increased job satisfaction of employees (Aarti, et al., 2013)

1.23 Significance of Study of Impact of Job Satisfaction on Employees Performance in Banks in Oman

            The study can be instrumental for the banking sector of Oman as a whole as it would give a clear picture about the condition of work environment in Oman banks that what attributes are more prevailing for job satisfaction of employees, and which banks are leading the way with great work environment. The study will also allow Oman’s bank sector to get insight on good procedures to follow, which positively impact the job performance as well as job satisfaction of employees. Moreover, individual employees will also get insight that which banks are more suitable to work than the others. The study will also be important one for overall research sphere revolving around the topic of job satisfaction and employees performance.

1.24 Objectives of the Study of Impact of Job Satisfaction on Employees Performance in Banks in Oman

            The main objective of this research study is to investigate the relationship of job satisfaction with employees’ performance in terms of any positive or negative impact made by job satisfaction on employees’ performance. The study will specifically target Banks in Oman to know this factor in Oman’s banking sector.

1.26 Scope of the Study of Impact of Job Satisfaction on Employees Performance in Banks in Oman

            The research study will examine the issue mentioned earlier specifically for Banks in Oman as major purpose is to review the banking sector of Oman. The study will use qualitative research methods to analyze research data with in-depth details. The quantitative research method has been excluded from the study as this study is based on exploratory research. This study can be a good indication for other Middle East region banks as it would come up with concrete conclusions to understand the topic in broader way, which can be good road map for future research in the banking sector.

References of Impact of Job Satisfaction on Employees Performance in Banks in Oman

Aarti, C., Chahal, S., Chowdhary, B. & Chahal, J., 2013. ob Satisfaction Among Bank Employees: An Analysis Of The Contributing Variables Towards Job Satisfaction. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 2(8), pp. 11-20.

Hassard, J., Teoh, K. & Cox, T., n.d.. Job satisfaction: theories and definitions. [Online]
Available at: https://oshwiki.eu/wiki/Job_satisfaction:_theories_and_definitions
[Accessed 8 March 2019].

Inuwa, M., 2015. The Impact of Job Satisfaction, Job Attitude and Equity on Employee Performance. The International Journal Of Business & Management, 3(5), pp. 288-293.

Jalagat, R., 2017. Determinants of Job Stress and Its Relationship on Employee Job Performance. American Journal of Management Science and Engineering, 2(1), pp. 1-10.

Mafini, C. & Pooe, D., 2012. The relationship between employee satisfaction and organisational performance: Evidence from a South African government department. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 39(1).