IMPACT OF CONSCIENTIOUSNESS AND EXTRAVERSION ON JOB SATISFACTION AMONG ACADEMIC STAFF IN SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS: A CROSS-INSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background. Amidst growing demands on academic staff such as increasing student populations, research pressures, and limited resources, it is expedient to address a critical gap in understanding personality dynamics within a unique non-Western academic context to inform recruitment and workplace enhancement strategies. Purpose. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality traits (specifically conscientiousness and extraversion) and job satisfaction among academic staff in South-Western Nigerian tertiary institutions, addressing a significant research gap in understanding these dynamics within this specific context. Materials and methods. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 384 academic staff across six selected tertiary institutions in South-Western Nigeria through purposive sampling and a structured questionnaire. Results. Key findings revealed a significant positive relationship between conscientiousness and job satisfaction (R² = 0.331, F (4,379) = 46.173, p < 0.05), indicating that conscientiousness accounts for 33.1% of the variance in job satisfaction. Extraversion demonstrated an even stronger effect on job satisfaction (R² = 0.562, F (5,378) = 96.911, p < 0.05), explaining 56.2% of the variance. These results contribute to the Traits Theory of Personality by providing empirical support for its applicability in non-Western academic settings. The study also offers practical implications for recruitment, professional development, and retention strategies in tertiary institutions. The strong influence of extraversion on job satisfaction suggests the potential benefits of fostering more socially engaging and collaborative work environments. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on South-Western Nigerian tertiary institutions, offering context-specific insights that can inform targeted interventions to enhance job satisfaction in this particular academic setting. By examining these relationships in a non-Western context, the study contributes to a more globally comprehensive understanding of personality traits and job satisfaction in academia. EDN: JCAVFK