Quality of Work Life and differences in demographic characteristics among managerial staff in Algerian tertiary sector

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a consensus in the evidence literature on the importance of Quality of Work Life (QWL) as it is a prerequisite to increase employees' productivity and wellbeing [2], [1], [11]. While studies of the effect of demographic characteristics (gender, age, work experience and socio-professional categories) on QWL have conflicting results [1], [14], [15], [16], particularly in the services (tertiary) sector of activity, which is economically considered as the most important sector, as it encompasses a large spectrum of activities. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to measure the level of QWL and to study the differences in demographic characteristics (gender, age, work experience and socio-professional category) among managerial staff. METHODS: Managerial staff members in the Algerian tertiary sector (N = 252) participated in the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The analysis of the results suggested that the level of QWL was average (x¯= 253.61, SD = 46.775), on an ordinal scale ranging from a score value of 75 (min.) to 375 (max.) as shown in Table 2, and, there were no statistically significant differences in QWL between demographic characteristics categories: (1) gender, (2) age, (3) work experience and (4) socio-professional categories. The results are discussed in the light of previous researches. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that the QWL needs more attention from management levels in the public sector in Algeria.