Turnover Intention: An Examination of Job Characteristics and Transactional Leadership Style Among Operators in Electrical and Electronics Sub-Sector

Job turnover is traditionally faced by organizations in many industries. Implications such as resources wastage and low productivity can be derived from turnover issue. Turnover intention is found as best predictor for actual turnover in previous studies. Consequently, this demands some insights on turnover intention subject in Malaysia context. This study investigated factors that may predict operator’s turnover intention towards their current manufacturing companies. In this respect, the objective of the study was to determine the significance relationship of job characteristics and transactional leadership styles on turnover intention among manufacturing employees particularly in electrical and electronics sub-sector. The study was conducted amongst the operators of manufacturing industry in Peninsular Malaysia (N=800). Considering that Malaysia manufacturing industry has shown a strong economic growth through large investment in economic activities, it is important for all manufacturing companies to retain talented employees and reduce turnover problem in order to be more productive and competitive. The findings resulted in acceptance of the study hypothesis formulated. Dimensions of job characteristics (i.e. skill variety, task identity and feedback) and transactional leadership styles (i.e. contingent rewards, management-by-exception passive) significantly correlated and contributed to the turnover intention. Based on the research findings, theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Limitation and suggestion for future research are also highlighted. Hence, with limited literature on the subject of job characteristics, transactional leadership style and turnover intention in Malaysia manufacturing sector, the findings have, to some extent, contributed to the understanding of the concept and further enhance the knowledge of these subjects especially in Malaysian context.