Job-related factors impacting motivation of office workers at eThekwini Municipality's Water and Sanitation Unit.

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.