Study on the level of stress, job satisfaction and personality traits present in insurance executives in Singapore

Abstract

Singapore's only natural resource is her people. Right from the time when the city-state started industrialization program some twenty-seven years ago, Singaporeans have been subject to the influences of rapid economic, social and technological changes . organisations have become more complex, and coupled with an increasing proportion of time spent in the workplace, the possibility of her people suffering from dysfunctional stress-related consequences generated by certain aspects of work does not seem far-fetched. The subjects of stress at work, job satisfaction and personality traits are thus selected as the theme of the research paper. These areas have been researched separately in the United states of America and other industrialized nations. However, very little formal research has been carried out in Singapore, or for that matter in any country in South-East Asia. Operational of the variables are effected using established self-administered questionnaire. Some 138 executives from life, general insurance and reinsurance companies have participated in the survey. Usable returns totaled 131. overall, the executives experience low level of stress and high job satisfaction. Both variables are found to be negatively but significantly related to each other and to stressors as well. Only certain personality traits show relationship with level of stress and job satisfaction. Attempts are made to relate demographic profiles to the stress level, job satisfaction and personality traits. However, the former does not show much relationships with the variables. Implications for human organisations are briefly discussed and these, to a large extent reflect current thinking. The study concludes with directions for future research of this important area.