Influence of Locus of Control on Employee Job Satisfaction at Kapa Oil Refineries Limited

Abstract

Locus of control shows how individuals ascribe their reinforcements, the outcomes of their activities or compensations, their successes or failures. However, it is not clear whether it is also predictor of employee job satisfaction. The purpose of the study is to establish the effect of locus of control on job satisfaction of employees in Kapa Oil Refineries Limited. The study was guided by attribution theory, theory of hierarchy of needs and two factor theory in relation to the study and used survey design. Using census sampling technique 114 employees working in different departments in the organization, namely finance, human resource and administration, production, sales and marketing department were administered with the questionnaires for quantitative data. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation, as well as through inferential statistics of linear regression model to predict the association between predictor variable and the dependent variable. The study found that employees with internal locus of control were satisfied with their work and hence there was a significant relationship between internal locus of control and employees job satisfaction. However, there was a relatively weak but significant positive relationship between external locus of control and employees job satisfaction. The study recommends that employers and businesses who want to increase the job happiness of their employees are advised to assist their workers in developing a positive mental attitude and a solid internal locus of control. This may be accomplished in several ways. Employees should be provided with self-awareness training in order to build a positive mental attitude toward their job, co-workers, and the firm. Existing personnel should get training to refresh their skills and urge them to assume more responsibilities. Encouraging workers to cultivate the appropriate mental attitude can assist them in appreciating and assuming responsibility over their own work-related destinies.