The Moderating Effect of Job Attitudes on Relationship between Personality Traits and Employees Performance: An applied study on Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia

Current study aims to provide empirical evidence regarding the impact of personality traits (extraversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeable and openness to experience) on the employees' performance. Moreover, the paper is focused on investigating the moderating effect of job attitudes on the relationship between personality traits and employees' performance. The model of the study was developed based on relevant theoretical background. To examine the hypothesized model, the quantitative research design was employed. This study used the systematic sampling. 550 questionnaires were distributed among the employees working in the higher education system of KSA. 325 questionnaires were returned and were usable for analysis. To test the proposed hypotheses, the researcher conducted analysis using EViews analysis program. The results found that all five personality traits have significant influence on employees' performance. In addition, the result indicated that job attitudes have a significant impact on employees' performance. Moreover, the results show the job attitudes significantly have moderating effect on the relationship between only three personality traits (conscientiousness, agreeable and openness to experience) and employee’s performance. Review of literatures regarding the personality traits used in this study are offered, the practical implications and the recommendations for future research works are also emphasized.