INVESTIGATING THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE JOB SATISFACTION OF NURSES IN ABU DHABI, UAE: THE MODERATING EFFECT OF COVID-19 IMPACT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70301/Keywords:
job satisfaction, index of work satisfaction , IWS, Nurses , COVID-19, Abu Dhabi, moderation, UAE, middle east , healthcare, hospitalsAbstract
Purpose of the study: This study investigates the relationship between the six factors of the Index of Work Satisfaction (IWS)—Interaction, Task Requirements, Pay, Autonomy, Organizational Policies, and Professional Status—and nurses’ job satisfaction in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Furthermore, it examines the moderating role of the COVID-19 pandemic on these relationships.
Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a quantitative survey (N=363) using the IWS scale and a qualitative case study involving in-depth interviews with nurses. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, ANOVA, and multiple linear regressions, including moderation analysis.
Research Findings: All six IWS factors were found to have a significant positive relationship with nurses’ job satisfaction. Specifically, Autonomy (β=.213, p < 0.001) and Pay (β = 0.202, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors. The COVID-19 pandemic was found to significantly moderate the relationship between Interaction and job satisfaction (β = 0.049, p < .001), suggesting that the pandemic context altered the influence of workplace social dynamics.
Implications: The findings provide critical insights for healthcare administrators in the UAE, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to enhance nurse autonomy, ensure equitable pay, and foster positive workplace interactions, especially during public health crises. The study validates the IWS as a robust tool for assessing job satisfaction in the Emirati context.
Limitations: The study is geographically limited to Abu Dhabi, and the cross-sectional design limits causal inferences. Future research should consider longitudinal designs and expand the scope to other Emirates.
Significance of the Study: This research is one of the first to empirically test the IWS model in the UAE nursing sector while simultaneously quantifying the moderating effect of a major global health crisis (COVID-19). It contributes to both job satisfaction theory and practical human resource management in healthcare.
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