Ruthankoon, R and Ogunlana, S O (2003) Testing herzberg's two-factor theory in the Thai construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 10(5), pp. 333-341. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Herzberg's two-factor theory of motivation is widely known in management circles. However, it has been criticized regarding its validity in different work settings. Construction is an industry with unique characteristics which may have special effects on employee motivation. This study tests the two-factor theory on Thai construction engineers and foremen following Herzberg's interviewing procedure and compares the results to Herzberg's. Responsibility, advancement, possibility of growth, and supervision contribute to job satisfaction, while working conditions, job security, safety on site, and relationships with other organizations contribute to job dissatisfaction. Recognition, work itself, company's policy and administration, interpersonal relations, personal life, and status contribute to both satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Achievement contributes to satisfaction for engineers but contributes to both satisfaction and dissatisfaction for foremen. It is concluded that Herzberg's theory is not entirely applicable in the Thai construction setting. Some factors should receive attention if construction employees are to be motivated effectively.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; employee attitudes; job satisfaction; motivation; Thailand |
| Index terms: | motivation, supervision, construction industry, testing, working conditions, Thailand, employee attitude, job satisfaction, validity, engineer, construction employee, satisfaction |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, management, employment law, Geography, psychology, project delivery, professional practice, evaluation and assessment methods, profession, control systems, practitioner |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Human Resources, Legal Issues |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here