The impact of motivation on job satisfaction of craftsmen in the construction industry in Ghana

Abstract

The productivity of the construction industry has received much attention by researchers and policy makers; particularly in developed countries. The productivity of the construction industry in developing countries, particularly Ghana is abysmally low. Strategies need to be developed to stimulate and enhance the productivity of the industry through concerted research and development. In line with this, the purpose of the research reported here was to determine the impact of motivation on job satisfaction of craftsmen in the construction industry in Ghana. Drawing on Herzberg’s Two-factor theory, conceptual framework was developed and empirically tested using a sample group of 335 craftsmen. A biographical and Work Motivation and Job Satisfaction Questionnaire was administered to respondents and the resulting data were analyzed with the aid Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results of the research indicated that there is a positive, direct and significant impact of motivation (motivator-hygiene factors) on job satisfaction. The results also revealed that women received the lowest form of motivation and satisfaction than their male counterparts. The research results further revealed how low motivator factors prevailed or are experienced by craftsmen in the construction industry. For this reason, the industry can be referred to as ‘‘a pay check’’ because hygiene factors are highly existent while motivator factors are low. The research supports the assumption that a well developed and functional motivational system can increase craftsmen motivation and satisfaction since ‘‘a one size fits all’’ approach is unacceptable and irrelevant in the Ghanaian construction industry today. The industry, therefore, can develop their motivation (motivator factors) system by including the craftsmen in the decision making process. Future research on the administrative/ management staff could yield interesting insights into the different factors that motivate that category of construction workers.