Agile Practices and Intention to Stay: Mediation Effects Through Job Characteristics

Abstract

Agile methods of software development have been used widely over the last decade and majority of organizations have now embraced them in their projects. Thus, the current study explored the positive influence of agile practices on individuals' intentions to stay at their employment. In accordance with this objective, the study looked at the role of job characteristics in mediating the association between agile methods and intention to stay. A sample of 486 employees was contacted through online survey using the Google Forms platforms during the period of September 2021 who practice the agile methods while working at their organizations. They provided data on the questionnaires of agile practices, job characteristics, and intention to stay. Findings postulated that agile practices have significant impact on employees’ intention to stay. Results further reported the significant mediation through job characteristics between agile practices and intention to stay. Findings showed that the job when is designed on feedback, skill variety, job autonomy, task identity and task significance mediate an impact of practicing agile methods on intention to stay.