Motivation
European Journal of Business and Management ISSN 2222-1905 (Paper) ISSN 2222-2839 (Online) Vol 3, No.9, 2011
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Application of Frederick Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory in assessing and understanding employee motivation at work: a Ghanaian Perspective
Kwasi Dartey-Baah (Corresponding Author) Department of Organisation & Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School P.O. Box LG78, Legon, Accra-Ghana, West Africa Telephone: 00233209621292 Email: kdartey-baah@ug.edu.gh
George Kofi Amoako Department of Marketing, Central Business School P.O. Box 2305, Tema, Ghana, West Africa Telephone: 00233202620174 Email: gkamoako@central.edu.gh Abstract This paper critically examines Frederick Herzberg’s two-factor theory and assesses its application and relevance in understanding the essential factors that motivate the Ghanaian worker. The two-factor theory of motivation explains the factors that employees find satisfying and dissatisfying about their jobs. These factors are the hygiene factors and motivators. The hygiene factors when absent can lead to dissatisfaction in the work place but when fully catered for in the work environment on their own are not sufficient to satisfy workers whereas the motivators referring to the nature of the job, provide satisfaction and lead to higher motivation. This paper adds to the understanding of what motivates the Ghanaian worker most and creates the platform for a re-evaluation of the thinking and viewpoint that workers rate motivator factors higher than the hygiene factors in the work setting. Keywords: Frederick Herzberg, hygiene factors, motivators, employee, Ghana 1. Introduction There are numerous motivation theories that have influenced the way organisations manage employees to achieve a motivated work force. These theories attempt to explain why people behave the way they do and advice on factors and strategies which when employed can get the best out of employees in terms of their commitment to
www.iiste.org
Application of Frederick Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory in assessing and understanding employee motivation at work: a Ghanaian Perspective
Kwasi Dartey-Baah (Corresponding Author) Department of Organisation & Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School P.O. Box LG78, Legon, Accra-Ghana, West Africa Telephone: 00233209621292 Email: kdartey-baah@ug.edu.gh
George Kofi Amoako Department of Marketing, Central Business School P.O. Box 2305, Tema, Ghana, West Africa Telephone: 00233202620174 Email: gkamoako@central.edu.gh Abstract This paper critically examines Frederick Herzberg’s two-factor theory and assesses its application and relevance in understanding the essential factors that motivate the Ghanaian worker. The two-factor theory of motivation explains the factors that employees find satisfying and dissatisfying about their jobs. These factors are the hygiene factors and motivators. The hygiene factors when absent can lead to dissatisfaction in the work place but when fully catered for in the work environment on their own are not sufficient to satisfy workers whereas the motivators referring to the nature of the job, provide satisfaction and lead to higher motivation. This paper adds to the understanding of what motivates the Ghanaian worker most and creates the platform for a re-evaluation of the thinking and viewpoint that workers rate motivator factors higher than the hygiene factors in the work setting. Keywords: Frederick Herzberg, hygiene factors, motivators, employee, Ghana 1. Introduction There are numerous motivation theories that have influenced the way organisations manage employees to achieve a motivated work force. These theories attempt to explain why people behave the way they do and advice on factors and strategies which when employed can get the best out of employees in terms of their commitment to
References: Adair, J E. (2004), “The Concise Adair on Teambuilding and Motivation”, Neil Thomas, London, Thorogood. Buckinham, M & Coffman, C. (1999), “First, Break All the Rules: What the World 's Great Managers Do 7|Page www.iiste.org European Journal of Business and Management ISSN 2222-1905 (Paper) ISSN 2222-2839 (Online) Vol 3, No.9, 2011 Differently”, Publishers: Simon & Schuster. Vroom, V. & Deci, E.(1970), “Management and Motivation”. Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Performance, Vol 8, Issue 2, pp (217-229).