Work Motivation Practice in Public and Private Sector: A Multidimensional Analysis

Abstract

Purpose – The main purpose of this study is to determine the source of work motivation of employees in public and private sector enterprises and to examine whether there is a significant difference between demographic characteristics and work motivation dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach –    Questionnaire technique, one of the quantitative research methods, was used in the research. As a survey, Gagne et al. The work motivation scale, which was developed on the basis of self-determination theory, was used. This scale was adapted to Turkish by Çivilidağ and Şekercioğlu. In this scale, there are three basic sub-dimensions: demotivation, controlled motivation and autonomous motivation. Within the scope of the research, a total of 354 people from different professional groups working in different organizations were reached. Of these people, 218 work in the private sector, and 136 work in the public sector.

Findings –   In the analyzes conducted, a significant relationship was found between gender and educational status, and demotivation and autonomous motivation, between the sector and demotivation, controlled motivation and autonomous motivation and between the position in the workplace and controlled motivation. However, there was no significant relationship between marital status, total working year and job motivation dimensions. While the demotivation and controlled motivation level of the public sector employees is higher than the private sector employees, the autonomous motivation level of the public sector employees is lower than the private sector employees.

Discussion –  It is considered that the gender of the employees participating in the study, their education status, their position in the workplace and the sector may have an impact on job motivation.  The findings obtained in the research can be evaluated together with other studies in the literature, and can give managers different perspectives on employee motivation.