Exploring the Perception of Job Quality among Banking Professionals: The Case of a Small Island Developing State

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the perception of the Mauritian banking sector (MBS) professionals on job quality with respect to their current jobs using the OECD Framework (2015). It attempts to fill an existing gap in the Job Quality literature by providing empirical evidence on job quality in the banking sector in a small island developing state like Mauritius. Not many, if any, of the studies conducted in the banking sector concentrate on job quality in a small island development state (SIDS) context. This exploratory study therefore made use of the qualitative interpretive research paradigm using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. The population comprised of banking professionals at supervisory and managerial levels across different banking institutions in the island. Purposive sampling method was adopted using the snowball sampling technique which used the researcher’s judgment in locating the type of people who would provide rich information pertaining to job quality. 15 banking professionals agreed to take part in the study. Findings revealed that banking professionals in Mauritius better perceived recognition rather than earnings quality, and the social rather than physical work environment as major determinants of their job quality. They also opined that their job security was however based on their performance and willingness to learn and grow in the organisation. Appropriate recommendations were thus provided in the light of these findings.