JOB ORIENTATION, PERCEPTIONS, AND SATISFACTION - A STUDY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS IN SINGAPORE

In this paper, we develop a conceptual model for job satisfaction vis- a-vis technical or managerial orientation of the information technolog y (IT) professional's job. We suggest that the linkage is mediated by perceptions of the professional on the ''micro-environment'' of the jo b (occupational pay fairness and occupational advancement prospects) a s well as on the ''macro-environment'' of the job (organizational prog ressiveness posture and organizational cohesiveness). The model was su pported empirically by testing a sample of 140 IT professionals in Sin gapore. We found that a high degree of technical orientation results i n the perception that moving into management would bring better pay an d advancement prospects; this then leads to job dissatisfaction. Furth er, a technical orientation brings a perception that the organization is a less progressive place and is held together by an emphasis on pro cedures rather than on accomplishments. On a broader perspective, our findings would be useful for Singapore policy makers in national IT ma npower planning as well as in fine-tuning its implementation of the cu rrent vision of Singapore as an ''intelligent'' island by the turn of the century.