The Nature of Work Motivation : Herzberg´s Two-Factor Theory Applied to Seasonal Workers in a Swedish Ski-Resort

• In the tourism sector, quality is closely related to employee performance. One of the most important challenges facing managers is the creation of a context within which employees feel motivated and will act in order to achieve the goals of the organisation (Lee-Ross, 1999). The aim of the study is to investigate motivation in a sample of seasonal workers in the ski-resort of Åre in northern Sweden. This study is based upon field research carried out in Åre and its surrounding villages. Data collection was carried out in the form of questionnaires and in-depth interviews. According to Herzberg�s two-factor need theory, humans have two different sets of needs and that the different elements of the work situation satisfies or dissatisfies these needs (Wright, 1989). The first set of needs concerns the basic survival needs of a person � the hygiene factors (e.g. supervision, salary and physical conditions). When these needs are satisfied they do not motivate or cause satisfaction, they only prevent dissatisfaction (Pinder, 1998). In this study evidence was found that support this theory. When reviewing the results, work-related stimuli were not important for work motivation. Other results the study question Herzberg�s argument that job content is the only way to increase work motivation (Wright, 1989). The results from the in-depth interviews indicate that social stimuli were also regarded as an important construct for the enhancement of work motivation. This conclusion is also supported by quantitative data. The second set of needs in Herzberg�s theory, the growth needs (e.g. responsibility, advancement and recognition) was measured by the construct of empowerment. The results show that the construct of empowerment to a great extent influence work motivation.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

Keyword

work motivation structural equations modelling

Business studies

Företagsekonomi

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

rap (subject category)