Causes of newspaper firm employee burnout in Korea and its impact on organizational commitment and turnover intention

Abstract

This study assesses the degree of burnout among newspaper firm employees in Korea and investigates the causes and consequences of this phenomenon. A survey of reporters and non-reporting staff members from the 10 national daily newspaper firms in South Korea indicates that employees suffer from burnout. In particular, respondents claimed to have experienced a higher level of exhaustion than cynicism and a diminished sense of professional efficacy. Overload, a non-autonomous, non-supportive work environment, and dissatisfaction with the work itself, level of pay, co-workers, supervisors and promotion opportunities were also contributing factors. As a result of burnout, employees reported diminished commitment to the organization and increased turnover intention.

Keywords:

• burnout
• job satisfaction
• Korean journalists
• organizational commitment
• turnover intention

Notes

1. During 2008–2010, there was a special project conducted by the Korea Press Foundation, which supports the Korean newspaper industry. There are 10 daily national newspapers in Korea. Each person in charge of strategic planning from the 10 companies served on the special project team. The authors of this paper also participated in the project to coordinate the whole process as researchers. Implementing an extensive survey on job satisfaction, organizational culture and leadership, the authors inserted questionnaires measuring burnout of newspaper firm employees for the purposes of the current study. Because the survey was included as part of the larger project examining the current status of newspaper companies in order to find solutions for the firms, each firm's strategy specialist was willing to help out by completing the survey. The authors were introduced to the HR manager of each firm, explained the purpose of the survey, and obtained permission to conduct the survey.