Perceptions of motivational factors in the Department of Health: A demographic groupings analysis

Abstract

Orientation: Employees’ motivation is a key driving force of any successful organisation. Motivated administrative employees commit themselves to achieving the goals and objectives of the organisation.

Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether motivational factors statistically differ among demographic groupings.

Motivation for the study: This department is currently operating in a diverse environment, which demands managers to understand the factors that influence the motivational level of their administrative employees.

Research approach/design and method: A quantitative research approach was used. A structured research questionnaire was used to achieve the objective of the study. Non-probability, convenience sampling was used to select 150 administrative employees who were targeted from the population of 463.

Main findings: This study showed marginally significant differences between factors of motivation namely job responsibility and leadership to respondents’ race groups. This study showed significant differences between male and female respondents regarding factors of motivation namely goal setting and feedback. The results showed that there were marginally significant differences between age groups regarding what motivated them.

Practical/managerial implications: Management and Human Resource Management should make use of both motivators and hygiene factors to effectively motivate employees and promote job satisfaction in the workplace.

Contribution/value-add: The contribution of this study is to assist managers and management in understanding the influence of motivation on employees. This study underlines factors that contribute to employee motivation and offers guidelines on the factors that are conducive to keeping employees motivated.