Motivational factors in a steel manufacturing company in South Africa

M.Comm.The importance of motivation for organisational success is recognised by organisations of various sizes and functions the world over. One of thebiggest challenges for organisations is to establish the motivational levels of their employees with a greater degree of certainty. The multi-dimensional nature of an individual’s motivation complicates matters, requiring in depth analysis. The objective of the research is to determine the motivating factors, from an appreciative inquiry perspective, of the lower-managerial employees in a steel manufacturing company in South Africa. Appreciative inquiry reframes relationships around the positive and the possible and is grounded on the positive organisational behaviour philosophy. This philosophy suggests that focusing on the positive rather than the negative aspects of a situation will improve organisational success and individual well-being (McShane & Travaglione, 2007). The study on motivational factors was deemed important as the company has gone through a number of organisational changes without establishing the impact thereof on the employees. Owing to the multi-dimensional nature of motivation, the literature review showed that there is no single theory or integrated model for motivation studies. The evident lack of research integration in this area presented an opportunity for the researcher to study motivation from an appreciative inquiry perspective, of which the data collection stage began with the posing of questions that are unconditionally positive. The questions were analysed using the first-level factors framework presented in the two-factor theory of motivation by Frederick Herzberg