Job Stress, Work Environment, and Employee Turnover Intention Among Non-Managerial Supermarket Employees in Nepal: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction

Abstract

This study examines the impact of job stress and the work environment on employee turnover intention among non-managerial employees in the organized supermarket sector and tests job satisfaction as a mediating mechanism within its research model. Based on the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, data were collected from 218 non-managerial employees across five supermarket chains in Kathmandu Valley, such as Bhatbhateni Supermarket, Big Mart, Easy Mart, Salesberry Department Store, and Central Departmental Store, with the application of a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, hierarchical multiple regression, and chi-square analysis. Results of this study indicated that job stress positively and significantly predicted turnover intention, whereas work environment and job satisfaction significantly and negatively predicted turnover intention. The three predictors in this study collectively explained 33.6% of the variance in turnover intention. Data analysis also indicates that job satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between job stress and turnover intention. In addition, this study finds that turnover intention differed significantly across supermarket chains. More importantly, the findings of this study extend the application of the JD-R model to the retail sector in Nepal and provide practical suggestions for reducing voluntary turnover through stress management, workplace improvement, and enhanced job satisfaction.