Job-related factors impacting motivation of office workers at eThekwini Municipality's Water and Sanitation Unit.
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Date
2016
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Abstract
Perceptions of the public sector world-wide, and especially in South Africa remains
that it is bureaucratic, lazy and corrupt. A highly motivated workforce that is committed
to effective and efficient service delivery is a key requirement to address the service
delivery backlogs within the country at large. The eThekwini Water and Sanitation unit
has been acclaimed the world-over for innovation and service delivery. In light thereof,
this study seeks to identify the factors that motivate workers within the public sector,
using the eThekwini Water and Sanitation unit as a case study. The literature identified
many factors that drive worker motivation ranging from extrinsic to intrinsic factors.
Utilising the rationale of Public Choice and Self-Determination Theories, the study
seeks to identify the extent to which various motivational factors exist within the
environment and the relative importance of those factors to workers. Job involvement
is used as a key indicator of levels of worker motivation in this study. A mixed methods
approach was used to survey 100 respondents using questionnaires and interviews
based on Post-Positivism and Constructivist worldviews. The study identified that the
unit has a relatively highly motivated workforce with most motivational factors extant.
The study identified some key constraints and challenges to be addressed in order to
further improve levels of motivation within the organisation. It recommended a review
of the rewards system within the organisation and further research to establish the
exact causes of the low levels of confidence in the leadership. The study concludes
that these specific interventions would serve to significantly enhance the already high
levels of motivation of workers.
Description
Master of Commerce in Public Administration. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville 2016.
Keywords
Theses--Public governance.