IMPACT OF INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD FACTORS ON THREE-WHEEL DIVERS’ JOB SATISFACTION IN THE RATHNAPURA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA

Abstract

Job satisfaction is a vital concept in achieving the quality and efficiency of any job. The three-wheel drivers play an important role in uplifting the economic capability of their families while providing an essential service to the communities satisfying a considerable portion of transportation demand in Sri Lanka. However, the three-wheel drivers are less appreciated by the society and fail to possess a credit due to lack of trust, unsafe driving, illegitimate deals, misalliance talking pattern and behaviors. Without a better understanding of job satisfaction of three-wheel drivers, a good service is scarcely hoped by this occupation and still a proper attention has not been paid by scholars. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of individual and household factors on the job satisfaction of three-wheel drivers. The study was conducted in the Ratnapura District. This study used multi-stage sampling procedure and the sample size was 200 three-wheel drivers. Logistic Regression analysis was employed to analysis data. In addition, descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, t-test and chi-square test were applied. The descriptive statistics found that the males (100%) are dominating in this occupation. From the sample, 79% live in the rural sector and 72% are married. The logistic regression model found that the three individual factors, age, educational level, income and two household factors, family size and other income source had a significant impact on job satisfaction. The odds ratio between income and three-wheel drivers' job satisfaction is greater than 1 showing a positive impact. The percentage of being satisfied for three-wheel drivers who passed A/L (41%) is less than those who learned up to grade 5 (92%). The study suggests promoting another income source in avoiding the sole dependency on the occupation of three-wheel driving to increase their job satisfaction.