Factors Affecting Job Insecurity in Operational Level Employees in the Apparel Sector: A Study Based on The Employees of Biyagama Export Processing Zone, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Job insecurity is a problem that affects not only Sri Lanka but people worldwide. Job insecurity among operational-level employees in the garment industry is a critical concern. Within the theoretical frameworks of Social Exchange Theory (SET) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), the current study examined the factors affecting job insecurity and their impact on it. This research considers a sample of 355 operational-level employees working in the apparel manufacturing industries of Biyagama Processing Zone, Sri Lanka. The instruments with acceptable reliability and validity properties measured the study variables. Abusive supervision, work stress, technological changes, and job insecurity were scaled on a 5-point Likert scale, and data was collected by distributing a structured questionnaire. All collected data are analyzed using descriptive and multivariate analytical statistical tools in SPSS. The findings showed that abusive supervision, work stress, and technological changes significantly affect job insecurity, with abusive supervision being the most influential and technological changes the least. Results imply the urgency of prioritizing the focus on these factors, which can guide HR policies and organizational strategies to create healthier and more secure work environments.