Job Satisfaction in the Information and Communication Sector: The Case of Egypt

Abstract

The information and communication technology industry is growing worldwide, penetrating all sectors and services. Therefore, organizations are formulating different formulas and mechanisms to provide a competitive and challenging working environment to attract the best human resources around the globe to join their infrastructure build-up in terms of humanware. Egypt, as a developing country, has been investing heavily in building its information and communication technology infrastructure with a focus on human resources. However, many organizations are continually faced with various challenges to keep their key human resources due to the emerging offerings and opportunities at various levels locally, regionally and internationally. This chapter presents the findings of a research that was conducted in Egypt in 2001 with a primary objective to understand the overall level of job satisfaction among employees in the ICT sector in Egypt. The research aimed at identifying the major factors that affect their satisfaction and highlighting the driving forces leading to the “brain drain” of skilled ICT professionals to jobs overseas. The research assesses the major aspects affecting job satisfaction and ranks them by importance. Moreover, the empirical evidence illustrates the willingness of ICT professionals to seek job opportunities abroad, and the major forces leading to brain drain. Within the scope of the research, job satisfaction is studied as a function of four groups of job aspects, namely, economic, social, training and development, and psychological aspects. Economic aspects cover variables such as pay, rewards and benefits. Social aspects include relationships with colleagues, teamwork and working conditions. Training and development covers the amount of training received by employees and their access to technologies. Psychological aspects include factors such as interest and scope of work, challenges and disciplinary procedures. The survey was conducted among ICT professionals employed in key ICT companies operating in Egypt, as well as companies in other sectors including financial institutions including organizations from the private sector, governmental organizations and multinational firms. The research is important to assess the problems faced by many organizations in Egypt due to the brain drain of its skilled ICT professionals to jobs overseas due to clearer career paths and advancement opportunities, better access to new technologies and higher pay. Respectively, the findings of the research represent important guidelines for various organizations to be able to retain its ICT skilled professionals in Egypt and similar environments.