Search results

1 – 10 of over 23000
Article
Publication date: 2 March 2021

Sunan Babar Khan, David G. Proverbs and Hong Xiao

Health and safety in small construction firms is often neglected by owners leading to poor health and safety performance and unacceptably high fatality and injury rates. A body of…

1227

Abstract

Purpose

Health and safety in small construction firms is often neglected by owners leading to poor health and safety performance and unacceptably high fatality and injury rates. A body of knowledge has established significant links between the motivational behaviours of operatives towards health and safety. Motivation is also considered as a key tool for improving operative productivity as when operatives experience safe worksites, they can carry out their work in a more productive manner. The purpose of this research is to develop a framework to examine the motivational factors that affect operative health and safety in small construction firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical review and synthesis of the body of knowledge incorporating motivational theory, health and safety literature and the factors which characterise small firms, is used to develop the framework.

Findings

Key components of the framework include the presence of intrinsic and extrinsic components, appropriate health and safety policies and procedures, the type of work environment, the operatives (i.e. attitude, experience and training) as well as the presence of appropriate management and supervision. The study revealed that operatives in small firms are less likely to be extrinsically motivated due to the absence of training, management commitment, policies and the wider working environment

Research limitations/implications

Failure of motivational support can result in increased danger and risk in exposing operatives to injury in the small firm environment. In this context, the damage caused to operative's health and safety in small construction firms is dependent mainly on the extrinsic factors.

Practical implications

The framework provides a basis for improving our understanding of how to motivate operatives to act safely and will help to improve the health and safety performance of small firms. It is therefore vital to emphasise enhancement efforts on these extrinsic strategies in the small firms' environment especially in the initial stages of the project (or activity), so that the health and safety of operatives in small firms can be improved.

Originality/value

This study proposes a contribution in developing an understanding of the motivational factors and their influence on the health and safety of operatives in small construction firms. The study revealed that operatives in small firms are less likely to be extrinsically motivated and have only intrinsically motivated elements in their workplace. The study proposes an indirect link between the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that affect motivation.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2017

Diana Dias, Ângela Leite, Ana Ramires and Paula Bicho

The purpose of this study is to investigate the motivational factors to work with cancer patients, their repercussions in job satisfaction among Portuguese healthcare…

1807

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the motivational factors to work with cancer patients, their repercussions in job satisfaction among Portuguese healthcare professionals and to understand the role of sociodemographic and occupational variables in motivation and job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

An instrument based on Maslow’s and Herzberg’s theories and developed by Paleologou et al. (2006) was applied to four categories of healthcare professionals. This instrument comprises four work-related motivators (remuneration, achievements, coworkers and job attributes) and a single-item question about job satisfaction. In total, 400 healthcare professionals in a Portuguese oncology hospital participated in this study.

Findings

Job satisfaction was positively and significantly associated with all motivational factors. Qualifications predicted all motivational factors, although the motivator “coworkers” was also influenced by age.

Originality/value

Motivation and job satisfaction are related, and some studies investigate the relation between them. However, these constructs are not sufficiently studied among healthcare professionals in oncology hospitals. This study shows that motivational factors to work in a cancer hospital are critical for job satisfaction among healthcare professionals. Moreover, qualifications predicted all motivational factors in this context.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 April 2018

Mohammed Shurrab, Ghaleb Abbasi and Razan Al Khazaleh

Construction organizations and companies are concerned with the motivational factors of the project managers that influence the project success. Therefore, the purpose of this…

Abstract

Purpose

Construction organizations and companies are concerned with the motivational factors of the project managers that influence the project success. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to use a questionnaire based on five Likert-scales to identify and investigate the importance of the motivational dimensions on the construction project managers in Jordan

Design/methodology/approach

Therefore, this study aims at using a questionnaire based on five Likert-scales to identify and investigate the importance of the motivational dimensions on the construction project managers in Jordan. The six motivational dimensions were interpersonal interaction, task, general working conditions, empowerment, personal development, and compensation. Hypotheses testing were also developed to study the influence of both the characteristics of the project manager and the characteristic of the project on the motivational dimensions.

Findings

The results showed that the construction project managers in Jordan were motivated more by compensation and personal development. Moreover, the level of education for the project manager was positively related to the motivation by task. It was also noticed that the project manager, who had higher experience, was motivated more by empowerment. The study is valuable in providing important information for the construction organizations in Jordan to actively influence the construction project managers’ motivation.

Originality/value

The urgent needs for increasing project managers’ motivation is the major concern for organizations and companies. Increasing the project managers’ motivation has a major influence on increasing the project success rate and productivity. Construction sector is typically country’s most important asset economically and socially. Currently, no studies were shown to investigate the construction project manager’s motivation in Jordan. This study is, therefore, aims to evaluate the factors that influence the construction project manager’s motivation in Jordan based on content and process motivational theories’ perspectives. This research also utilizes the motivational factors instrument to test its validity in Jordan construction sector.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1997

Carolyn Wiley

Explores past and present attitudes of employees concerning work‐related motivational factors. Understanding the factors that employees consider motivating lends insight to the…

115840

Abstract

Explores past and present attitudes of employees concerning work‐related motivational factors. Understanding the factors that employees consider motivating lends insight to the rewards to which they more positively respond. Compares the results of four motivation surveys conducted in 1946, 1980, 1986 and 1992. The comparisons reveal that employees’ motivational preferences vary over time. In addition, the results of the 1992 survey indicate that the factors that motivate today’s workers are more extrinsic than they used to be. Although employees differ on how they rank these factors, they overwhelmingly selected “good wages” as the top motivator. A good wage is an extrinsic reward with intrinsic potency. On the surface “good wages” seem to be purely extrinsic. Yet, at a deeper level, monetary rewards communicate what the company values and affect employees’ emotional and familial wellbeing.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 18 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 October 2014

André de Waal and Maarten Roobol

In the home furnishing industry outside contract installers produce higher quality work than in-house installers which is reflected in less revisits to customers to repair…

Abstract

Purpose

In the home furnishing industry outside contract installers produce higher quality work than in-house installers which is reflected in less revisits to customers to repair mistakes. Many home furnishing retailers are therefore contemplating introducing so that the quality of the work of in-house installers will be linked to financial incentives, thus resembling the situation of contract installers. However, a necessary condition for a successful introduction of bonuses is that in-house installers are motivated by it to deliver better quality work, i.e. cause less revisits. The purpose of this paper is to look into the question whether the introduction of bonuses could be used to increase the quality of work of in-house.

Design/methodology/approach

For the research the four steps of the evidence-based HRM framework, as developed by Rousseau and Barends (2011), were used. In steps 1, literature review, the research question was formulated based on work motivation theories (in particular on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, bonuses, and the differences between contract workers and organizational employees). In step 2, systematic gathering of facts, two existing questionnaires were combined to measure the motivation of the two types of installers.

Findings

In step 3, evaluation, the differences between the motivational factors and attitude towards bonuses was analysed for both groups of installers. The research results show that although in-house installers are potentially motivated by bonuses, they differ so much from contract installers in their general work motivation that introducing bonuses by no means will be a success. In step 4, ethical considerations, the consequences of the research findings were discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations are the use of a self-constructed questionnaire and the fact that the research was conducted at only one case company, thus rendering the generalization of findings problematic.

Practical implications

The practical implication of the study is that management of the case company can now better prepare itself for the issues to be expected when introducing bonuses for the in-house installers.

Originality/value

This research adds to the literature on the effects of bonuses on motivation. It also addresses a gap in the literature as there is currently hardly any academic literature on the conditions necessary to introduce bonuses for craftsmen successfully, and on whether this introduction is advantageous for organizations in the first place. In addition, the case company offered the opportunity to research the issue in a comparative way, by looking at the motivational factors influencing in-house installers and contract installers who work in the same conditions, something which to the knowledge of the authors has not been done before. Finally, the sue of an evidence-based HRM framework is quite unique for the human resource management field.

Details

Evidence-based HRM: a Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-3983

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 February 2014

Sari Metso and Aino Kianto

The purpose of this study is to identify factors that influence vocational students' development of professional skills during workplace learning and to examine the effects and…

1618

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify factors that influence vocational students' development of professional skills during workplace learning and to examine the effects and relationships of these factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The results were based on the responses of 285 graduating Finnish vocational students. The confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations were conducted using Lisrel.

Findings

Motivational factors, including performance orientation and self-efficacy, and organizational factors, including guidance, psychological climate and knowledge acquisition, had a direct and positive impact on the students' development of professional skills. The attitudinal factor measured through work alienation had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between the organizational factors and the development of professional skills. The cognitive factor consisting of prior work experience in the studied field, however, had no effect on skill development

Research limitations/implications

The study was based on students' self-appraisal of the studied factors. Future research should consider workplace instructors' and vocational teachers' viewpoints regarding students' development of professional skills.

Practical implications

Managers are encouraged to plan a structured orientation period for students and to help workplace instructors design their work in order to facilitate a successful workplace learning period.

Originality/value

This study highlights the importance of organizational factors and workplace instructors to students' development of professional skills through work. Furthermore, it provides empirical evidence on the special characteristics of these factors.

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2006

Roseanne C. Moody and Daniel J. Pesut

The purpose of this research is to describe a model of nurses' work motivation relevant to the human caring stance of professional nursing work.

23198

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to describe a model of nurses' work motivation relevant to the human caring stance of professional nursing work.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was derived from selected theories of behavioral motivation and work motivation. Evidence‐based theory addressing nurses' work motivation and nurses' motivational states and traits in relation to characteristics of organizational culture and patient health outcomes is suggested in an effort to make a distinct contribution to health services research. An integrated review of selected theories of motivation is presented, including conceptual analyses, theory‐building techniques, and the evidence supporting the theoretical propositions and linkages among variables intrinsic to nurses' work motivation.

Findings

The model of the Motivation to Care for Professional Nursing Work is a framework intended for empirical testing and theory building. The model proposes specific leadership and management strategies to support a culture of motivational caring and competence in health care organizations.

Originality/value

Attention to motivation theory and research provides insights and suggests relationships among nurses' motivation to care, motivational states and traits, individual differences that influence nurses' work motivation, and the special effects of nurses' work motivation on patient care outcomes. Suggestions for nursing administrative direction and research are proposed.

Details

Journal of Health Organization and Management, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2018

Eun Jung Ko and Sang Soo Kim

The purpose of this paper is to investigate gender differences in motivations to use flexible work arrangements (FWAs) in Korea.

2793

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate gender differences in motivations to use flexible work arrangements (FWAs) in Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review on theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study considers four motivational factors that influence the intention to use FWA: motivation for personal life, motivation for productivity, peer behaviour and concerns about career disadvantages. Survey response data drawn from 92 male and 105 female Korean workers were used to analyse differences by gender.

Findings

As for the male respondents, all four motivational factors have a significant effect on the intention to use FWA. However, in the female respondents, the effects of concerns about career disadvantages on the intention to use FWA are not significant. The results of gender differences analysis show that significant difference was not found in the effect of motivation for personal life on the intention to use FWA while the other three motivational factors have significant differences by gender.

Research limitations/implications

In this research, basing its conceptual background on TPB, a novel approach is taken by introducing motivational factors as the antecedents of intention to use FWA. This is a more systematic view on individuals’ behavioural mechanism relating to the intention to choose FWA. It is also meaningful in that this study looks at the intention to use FWA from a broader perspective by suggesting gender differences as critical analysis criteria given the uniqueness of Korean labour market.

Practical implications

For an effective operation of FWA, it is important not only to launch a flexible working programme itself, but also to ensure that the users are properly understood and fairly evaluated.

Originality/value

Considering the motivations of utilising FWA from various angles will contribute to coming up with various measures to raise the use and effectiveness of FWA.

Article
Publication date: 12 October 2007

Anastasios Zopiatis and Panikkos Constanti

The primary purpose is to investigate specific human resources issues that challenge managerial level employees of the Cypriot hospitality industry. In particular the study, aims…

2107

Abstract

Purpose

The primary purpose is to investigate specific human resources issues that challenge managerial level employees of the Cypriot hospitality industry. In particular the study, aims to examine: the motivational factors that directly impact on hospitality managers; burnout among hospitality managers; and the factors most likely to cause managers to either change employers or change industry segments entirely.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design included both an extensive literature review of secondary data sources relevant with the topics under investigation and a quantitative primary data collection tool; a survey questionnaire. The sample consisted of 200 randomly selected individuals currently holding managerial level positions in 5‐, 4‐ and 3‐star hotels operating in Cyprus, in order to address our research questions. The data was analyzed utilizing both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

The findings on motivation tend to echo those which relate to the content motivation theories whose focus is on what it is about the individual. Furthermore, the findings affirm earlier research which suggests that motivational factors are likely to change as demographics change. In addition, the findings indicate that hospitality managers experience low levels of accomplishment, irrespective of age, while those with high levels of customer contact are at greater risk of experiencing burnout.

Practical implications

As far as turnover and leakage issues are concerned, the local hospitality industry could do well by reviewing its manager retention practices.

Originality/value

An investigation of this type has not been undertaken in Cyprus before. Consequently it is creating new knowledge in the Cypriot hospitality industry, and which could be utilized by the stakeholders in their future human resource strategies.

Details

EuroMed Journal of Business, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1450-2194

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 July 2015

Karen Tølbøl Sigaard and Mette Skov

The purpose of this paper is to operationalise and verify a cognitive motivation model that has been adapted to information seeking. The original model was presented within the…

1460

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to operationalise and verify a cognitive motivation model that has been adapted to information seeking. The original model was presented within the field of psychology.

Design/methodology/approach

An operationalisation of the model is presented based on the theory of expectancy-value and on the operationalisation used when the model was first developed. Data for the analysis were collected from a sample of seven informants working as consultants in Danish municipalities. Each participant filled out a questionnaire, kept a log book for a week and participated in a subsequent interview to elicit data regarding their information source behaviour and task motivation.

Findings

Motivation affected source use when the informants search for information as part of their professional life. This meant that the number of sources used and the preference for interpersonal and internal sources increased when the task had high-value motivation or low-expectancy motivation or both.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on a relatively small sample and considers only one motivation theory. This should be addressed in future research along with a broadening of the studied group to involve other professions than municipality consultants.

Originality/value

Motivational theories from the field of psychology have been used sparsely in studies of information seeking. This study operationalises and verifies such a theory based on a theoretical adaptation of this model made by Savolainen (2012c).

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 71 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 23000