Factors Influencing on Job Satisfaction among Executives in Container Terminals in the Port of Colombo, specifically at Jaya Container Terminal

Container terminals are crucial to global trade, handling over 95% of goods transported via sea, with Sri Lanka's Colombo Port offering a strategic role as a key maritime hub. Despite significant infrastructure advancements, the effectiveness of these investments is contingent upon the satisfaction and performance of human resources. This study investigates the factors influencing job satisfaction, focusing on hygiene factors such as salary and co-worker relationships and motivation factors like recognition and responsibility. A cross-sectional survey of 110 executives revealed that salary (r = 0.818) and co-worker relationships (r = 0.709) were the strongest predictors of satisfaction. To enhance satisfaction and organizational performance, recommendations include revising salary structures, fostering interpersonal relationships, and providing career development opportunities. The findings emphasize the dual importance of hygiene factors such as competitive salary structures and fostering interpersonal relationships and motivation factor like meaningful work and acknowledgment to enhance job satisfaction and organizational performance. By addressing these dimensions, organizations can mitigate dissatisfaction, improve retention, and optimize productivity. The study contributes to the broader understanding of workforce dynamics in high-pressure industries, providing actionable recommendations for aligning organizational goals with employee well-being. These insights are particularly valuable for the maritime sector, where operational efficiency and competitiveness are closely tied to human resource management.