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The impact of the quality of the work environment on employees’ intention to quit

Author

Listed:
  • Ray Markey

    (Macquarie University)

  • Katherine Ravenswood

    (Auckland University of Technology)

  • Don Webber

    (University of the West of England, Bristol)

Abstract

A substantial body of research has linked job satisfaction with employees’ quitting intentions. That research predominantly analyses individual-level determinants rather than organisational-level or work environment antecedents of quitting. This study investigates the concept of the quality of the work environment (QWE) in relation to employees’ quitting intentions and argues that QWE will influence a manager’s ability to shape their employees’ quitting intentions. We illustrate this proposition using a small survey of employees across four different industries in New Zealand. The results support the extant literature findings only if employees perceive their QWE is good; if an employee perceives their QWE is poor then extant policy implications could be toothless. This suggests QWE is an important focus of policy to shape quitting intentions.

Suggested Citation

  • Ray Markey & Katherine Ravenswood & Don Webber, 2012. "The impact of the quality of the work environment on employees’ intention to quit," Working Papers 20121221, Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwe:wpaper:20121221
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    File URL: http://www2.uwe.ac.uk/faculties/BBS/BUS/Research/economics2012/1221.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Josse Delfgaauw, 2007. "Where to go? Workers' reasons to quit and intra- vs. interindustry job mobility," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(16), pages 2057-2067.
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    3. Cottini, Elena & Kato, Takao & Westergaard-Nielsen, Niels, 2011. "Adverse workplace conditions, high-involvement work practices and labor turnover: Evidence from Danish linked employer–employee data," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(6), pages 872-880.
    4. Bill Harley & Belinda C. Allen & Leisa D. Sargent, 2007. "High Performance Work Systems and Employee Experience of Work in the Service Sector: The Case of Aged Care," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 45(3), pages 607-633, September.
    5. Böckerman, Petri & Ilmakunnas, Pekka, 2007. "Job disamenities, job satisfaction, quit intentions, and actual separations: putting the pieces together," MPRA Paper 3245, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    8. Anthony Scott & Hugh Gravelle & Steven Simoens & Chris Bojke & Bonnie Sibbald, 2006. "Job Satisfaction and Quitting Intentions: A Structural Model of British General Practitioners," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 44(3), pages 519-540, September.
    9. Alfes, Kerstin & Shantz, Amanda & Truss, Catherine & Soane, Emma, 2013. "The link between perceived human resource management practices, engagement and employee behaviour: a moderated mediation model," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 42345, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Annick Parent-Lamarche & Alain Marchand, 2023. "Trajectories of Teleworking via Work Organization Conditions: Unraveling the Effect on Work Engagement and Intention to Quit with Path Analyses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Supranowo, 2017. "The Influence of Working Environment Conditions, Compensation and Career Development on Employees’ Working Motivation at an Indonesian Bank," Expert Journal of Business and Management, Sprint Investify, vol. 5(2), pages 142-148.
    4. Kudirat O. Alli, 2023. "Demographic and Organisational Factors as Predictors of Retention Among Health Care Workers in South West Nigeria," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(12), pages 136-146, December.
    5. Abdul Faris Makarim & Muafi Muafi, 2021. "The effect of green human resource management (GHRM) practices on turnover intention: Mediating role of work environment," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 10(5), pages 83-94, July.

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