The Mediating Effect of Job Satisfaction on the Relationship between Work-Related Stress, Productivity and Turnover Intention among Employees of Private Higher Learning Institution

The roles and responsibilities of employees in private higher education institutions are becoming more challenging and closely tied to the core functions of the sector. This applies not only to academic staff but also to management and administrative employees. Since employees are the primary human capital of these institutions, their job satisfaction plays a crucial role in improving organizational effectiveness. Satisfied employees are less likely to leave the organization and are more motivated to contribute to a positive work environment. This study aimed to examine the relationship between work-related stress, employee productivity, job satisfaction, and employee turnover intention in a private higher-learning institution. Specifically, this study examined the mediating effects of job satisfaction on the relationships of studied variables. Data were collected through online surveys from 107 employees, assessing work-related stress (WRS), employee productivity (EP), job satisfaction (JS), and turnover intention (TI). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted, including regression analyses, to determine the influence of variables on turnover intention. The mediating effects of job satisfaction were analyzed using Conditional Process Analyses via the PROCESS macro. The study found a significant relationship between work-related stress and employee turnover intention, indicating that stress greatly impacts an employee’s decision to leave. However, employee productivity did not show a significant direct relationship with turnover intention. Job satisfaction played a mediating role in the relationship between work-related stress and turnover intention, as well as between productivity and turnover intention. The findings highlight the need for management to enhance employees’ quality of work-life to retain valuable human resources, not only among academics but also among the management and support staff. Creating a positive work environment can help institutions position themselves as employers of choice and improve overall organizational effectiveness.