The Relationship between Human Values, Job Satisfaction, and Well-being among Thai IT Employees in Thailand: An Exploratory Study

IT professionals operate in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment that demands rapid delivery of quality solutions and constant adaptation to new technologies. In this context, well-being and job satisfaction are critical to both individual and organizational success, influencing their productivity, team dynamics, creativity, problem-solving capabilities, and software quality. This study explores how human values relate to job satisfaction and well-being in Thailand, focusing on their importance in personal life, relevance at work, and practical application. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 169 IT Thai professionals in Thailand through a 98-item survey and semi-structured interviews with 42 participants. Quantitative analysis revealed that Benevolence, Hedonism, and Self-direction are most valued personally, while Security, Hedonism, and Self-direction are prioritized at work. Among these, Hedonism at work had the strongest positive correlation with job satisfaction. However, a mismatch between the importance of Hedonism as a personal or professional value versus how it is actually applied at work, was significantly associated with lower job satisfaction. Interviews provided deeper insights into how participants interpret and apply these values, the challenges they face, and their perceived impact on well-being and satisfaction. The findings aim to empower Thai TI professionals and guide organizations to take informed steps to create healthier, more supportive work environments. This may help not only to empower these professionals to build more fulfilling careers, but can also helps organizations enhance performance, innovation, and talent retention in software development teams.