Understanding employees’ motivation at International University College, Bulgaria. Factors that influence motivation at work.

Abstract

This study addresses the issue of work motivation and aims at exploring the range of factors which affect it as well as at evaluating the validity of several motivation theories in the particular case of International University College, Bulgaria in order any potential problems to be identified and appropriate recommendations provided. The research was undertaken in attempt an answer to several questions regarding the range of factors which shape work motivation, the applicability of theoretical models of motivation, the influence of personal characteristics, the sources of dissatisfaction and employees’ current level of work motivation to be provided. The theoretical framework of the study is derived from the literature on the subject and based on a review of the most widely-accepted motivational models, a hypothesis is developed and subsequently tested. The research strategy is survey as a part of a case study and data is collected via delivery and collection questionnaires comprised mainly of category and scaled (five-point Likert-type scale) questions aimed at measuring both attitude and attribute variables. Data is analysed using both quantitative and qualitative methods including correlation analysis, Chi-square tests, data categorizing and explanation building. The results supported the hypothesis adopted that motivation theories are not exclusive but should be rather mixed and matched to the specific characteristics and problems of the organization in questions as the factors, assessed by the respondents as most important formed several different categories consistent with the propositions of Equity and Goal-setting theories, Hackman and Oldham’s job characteristics model and McClelland’s need theory. Performance evaluation and reward systems along with leadership style also were reported to have a substantial influence on work motivation. Personal characteristics such as age and marital status were revealed to influence the perceptions of employees regarding the importance of different factors for their work motivation.