Applicability of Two – Factors Theory Perspectives in University Academic and Non – Academic Staff

Abstract

Employee motivation is a significant psychological aspect of management. To maximize the effort of employees, there should be a mechanism of motivation. Under the motivation theories, there are different theories that can be applied to motivate the employees. Among these theories, two factors theory is introduced by Hirzberg are very popular. Two factors theory illustrates the motivational factors and hygiene factors, which behavior to satisfy the employees are different. In the Sri Lankan context, many organizations develop motivational programmes or strategies using two factors theory. However, there are no any research findings to identify the real behavior of employees on two factors theory in Sri Lanka. The problem concerned by the study is: what are the motivational factor and hygiene factors of academic and non – academic staff members of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Then, using 00 academic and 000 non – academic staff members from the university of Sri Jayewardenepura, researchers tried to examine the motivational and hygiene factors of academic and non – academic staff members of the University as a main objective of the study. The sample was drawn at random sampling and primary data which were collected using structures questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 00 questions statements under the main 16 factors. Univariate analyses were used to analysis the data. The main finding of the study was that all hygiene factors of original theory became motivational factors for both staff members. In other way, the organizational and personal differences of both staff members such as position, salary, educations were not valued in this situation. Then, it concludes that employees’ motivation is depended on contextual factors. Therefore, when developing a motivational programme to the academic and non – academic staff members, contextual factors should be considered.