Happiness among Knowledge Workers

Purpose of the research: This research aims to determine the level of happiness among knowledge workers within a South African software development organisation. Knowledge workers are defined as workers who have high degrees of expertise, education and experience, which they use to acquire, create, share and apply their knowledge in the workplace. Design/methodology: The research methodology is quantitative, with the primary data gathered via an Internet-based self-completion questionnaire. Results/findings: This study established that the independent factors of Company pride, Workplace influence, Leisure, Work relationships, Job satisfaction and Work-life balance all exerted a significant positive effect on knowledge workers’ happiness. The notion of happiness in the workplace is important, due to its potential to maximise employee performance and stimulate numerous benefits for both the employer organisation and the worker. Practical implications and Conclusions: Promoting knowledge worker happiness within a software development organisation facilitates tangible benefits, such as enhanced development productivity, superior product quality, improved creativity/analytical thinking and improved company financial performance and employee retention.