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“At least I’m useful to the refugees…” - An analysis of workplace motivation among national humanitarian aid workers in northern Burkina Faso

Allard-Buffoni, Florence LU (2015) MIDM19 20151
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to add to the understanding of how national humanitarian workers in northern Burkina Faso experience workplace motivation. The study followed an abductive logic in which the national workers’ perceptions served as the empirical grounding of a reflection on workplace motivation and its impacts through Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory. The methods used were interviews with national workers, international workers and external actors. An analysis of the factors causing satisfaction revealed that the motivators were related to the job itself, in accordance with the theory. Inversely, the factors causing dissatisfaction related mainly to external aspects of the job, as proposed by the theory.... (More)
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to add to the understanding of how national humanitarian workers in northern Burkina Faso experience workplace motivation. The study followed an abductive logic in which the national workers’ perceptions served as the empirical grounding of a reflection on workplace motivation and its impacts through Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory. The methods used were interviews with national workers, international workers and external actors. An analysis of the factors causing satisfaction revealed that the motivators were related to the job itself, in accordance with the theory. Inversely, the factors causing dissatisfaction related mainly to external aspects of the job, as proposed by the theory. The exact factors differed from the theory, indicating its context-sensitivity. The findings support Herzberg’s concept of the dual dynamic of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Once critically assessed, the factors revealed that the national workers were generally poorly satisfied and highly dissatisfied, thus poorly motivated. Inversely, international personnel were highly satisfied and poorly dissatisfied, thus highly motivated. High workplace motivation was found to have a positive relationship with performance and well-being, whereas low motivation only led to poorer well-being due to the workers’ context. Gender appeared to have an impact on the national staff’s work experience. (Less)
Abstract (French)
L’objectif de cette étude de cas qualitative était d’approfondir la compréhension de la motivation au travail des humanitaires nationaux dans le nord du Burkina Faso. L’étude suivait un raisonnement abductif selon lequel les perceptions des employés locaux servaient de fondation empirique à une réflexion sur la motivation au travail et ses impacts grâce à la Théorie des Deux Facteurs d’Herzberg. Les méthodes employées étaient des entretiens avec du personnel local, du personnel international et des acteurs externes. Une analyse des facteurs causant la satisfaction a révélé que les motivateurs étaient liés au travail-même, en accord avec la théorie. À l’inverse, les facteurs causant l’insatisfaction étaient surtout liés aux aspects externes... (More)
L’objectif de cette étude de cas qualitative était d’approfondir la compréhension de la motivation au travail des humanitaires nationaux dans le nord du Burkina Faso. L’étude suivait un raisonnement abductif selon lequel les perceptions des employés locaux servaient de fondation empirique à une réflexion sur la motivation au travail et ses impacts grâce à la Théorie des Deux Facteurs d’Herzberg. Les méthodes employées étaient des entretiens avec du personnel local, du personnel international et des acteurs externes. Une analyse des facteurs causant la satisfaction a révélé que les motivateurs étaient liés au travail-même, en accord avec la théorie. À l’inverse, les facteurs causant l’insatisfaction étaient surtout liés aux aspects externes du travail, comme le propose la théorie. Les facteurs eux-mêmes diffèrent de la théorie, indiquant qu’elle est affectée par le contexte. Les résultats confirment la double dynamique de satisfaction et d’insatisfaction d’Herzberg. Une fois évalués, les facteurs ont révélé que les employés nationaux étaient peu satisfaits et très insatisfaits, donc peu motivés. Au contraire, les employés internationaux étaient très satisfaits et peu insatisfaits, donc très motivés. Une forte motivation au travail est liée à la performance et au bien-être, alors qu’une faible motivation entraîne seulement une réduction du bien-être, dû du contexte. Il semble que le genre ait un impact sur l’expérience au travail des employés nationaux. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Allard-Buffoni, Florence LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20151
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
International humanitarian workers, National humanitarian workers, Herzberg, Motivation-Hygiene Theory, Job satisfaction, Workplace motivation, Humanitarian assistance, Burkina Faso
language
English
id
5424054
date added to LUP
2015-06-29 15:12:10
date last changed
2015-06-29 15:12:10
@misc{5424054,
  abstract     = {{The purpose of this qualitative case study was to add to the understanding of how national humanitarian workers in northern Burkina Faso experience workplace motivation. The study followed an abductive logic in which the national workers’ perceptions served as the empirical grounding of a reflection on workplace motivation and its impacts through Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory. The methods used were interviews with national workers, international workers and external actors. An analysis of the factors causing satisfaction revealed that the motivators were related to the job itself, in accordance with the theory. Inversely, the factors causing dissatisfaction related mainly to external aspects of the job, as proposed by the theory. The exact factors differed from the theory, indicating its context-sensitivity. The findings support Herzberg’s concept of the dual dynamic of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Once critically assessed, the factors revealed that the national workers were generally poorly satisfied and highly dissatisfied, thus poorly motivated. Inversely, international personnel were highly satisfied and poorly dissatisfied, thus highly motivated. High workplace motivation was found to have a positive relationship with performance and well-being, whereas low motivation only led to poorer well-being due to the workers’ context. Gender appeared to have an impact on the national staff’s work experience.}},
  author       = {{Allard-Buffoni, Florence}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{“At least I’m useful to the refugees…” - An analysis of workplace motivation among national humanitarian aid workers in northern Burkina Faso}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}