DETERMINANTS OF EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION: A CASE STUDY OF A REPUTED ORGANIZATION’S EXECUTIVE STAFF IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

The Human Resource Information System of a reputed organization of Sri Lanka revealed that the executive staff was less motivated in performing their routine operations. The situation has escalated issues in terms of efficiency and high employee turnover of the organization. Therefore, this study was designed to identify the drivers of employee motivation among executive staff members with respect to both organizational and demographic factors. Primary data obtained from a simple random sample of 67 employees via a semi-structured questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques, a multivariate multiple regression model and a binary logistic regression model. Results revealed that age, gender, educational level, distance from workplace and additional income sources as key demographic drivers of employee motivation. In addition, organizational factors such as work environment, responsibility, rewards and incentives, promotions, teamwork, relationship with superiors, job safety and security, significantly affect the employee motivation. Furthermore, the study recognized enhancing employee responsibility as a vital intervention. Increased power sharing for accurate managerial decision making and reformations to the existing reward structure to enable an optimistic comfortable work environment are recommended to be improved in the organization. Followed by the recommended improvements on the employees, the extent of motivation can be compared in future studies.