Motivation and Job Satisfaction in One Government Research and Development Environment

Abstract

Many factors affect motivation and job satisfaction in a research and development environment. This study was conducted at a U.S. government research laboratory to determine the factors that are important to motivation and to job satisfaction. Data from researchers and managers were collected and compared. The framework used for this study is Frederick Herzberg's motivation hygiene factor theory. The results demonstrate that with small differences, Herzberg's theory generally applies to this environment. Researchers and managers agreed on the importance of various factors in motivating performance. But they did not agree on the importance of various factors in job satisfaction. More researchers reported lower job satisfaction than managers.