Which reduces IT turnover intention the most: Workplace characteristics or job characteristics?

Studies have shown that positive perceived job characteristics, such as job significance and task autonomy, tend to decrease IT personnel turnover intention. In addition, employee perception of their workplace characteristics may affect turnover. Few studies have examined this. We tested whether workplace characteristics – structural fairness, trust in senior management, employee information sharing, and job security – affected turnover intention as much as did job characteristics. We found that workplace characteristics out-predicted job characteristics. However, this was true only for programmer/analysts. The reverse was true for technical support personnel. Practical implications are discussed. 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. § The authors appreciate the extremely useful comments and suggestions of Professor Edgar H. Sibley and the reviewers throughout the review process. * Corresponding author at: N253 North Business Complex, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1121, United States. Tel.: +1 517 432 2929; fax: +1 517 432 1101. E-mail address: [email protected] (D.H. McKnight).