Impact Of Motivation On Staff Efficiency In The Maritime Industry

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The effectiveness of employees and productivity of the workforce, as well as that of the company is significantly increased by motivation. Private and public organizations are often times concerned with the motivational techniques which can consistently increase and sustain high productivity of employees. These organizations have implemented a number of tactical measures to enhance efficiency and productivity among employees, including motivation.

Robbins (2001) defines motivation as forces that energizes, direct and sustains a person’s effort. Motivation is an important determination of human behaviour. It is an action that leads to the achievement of goals and objectives. According to Elizabeth (2009), motivation is a guiding principle and force that pushes individuals to focus on a particular path to achieve a set goal or objectives. Thus, motivation is the key to creating an enabling environment where optimal performance is possible.

Employee motivation drives the quality of work and boosts performance in an organization. Production can continue unhindered when employers maintain staff motivation. As a result, organizations create tremendous harmony throughout the entire workflow, which positively affects performance and productivity of employees. Apparently, it has been argued that motivated employees are productive employees, as they want to work hard and effectively for the business when motivated. Motivated employees means staff retention and company loyalty, which in the short run will give birth to growth and development of business (Jishi, 2009)

Armstrong (2006) highlights two types of motivation, namely intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is when employees uses their internal drive to motivate themselves to carry out tasks while extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, includes things that organization do for their employees in order to motivate them to take the desired actions in achieving the organization’s goals. People who are extrinsically motivated view their job as a way of fulfilling their needs.

Furthermore, the motivation of an employee in the maritime industries plays a major role in achieving high levels of satisfaction among its customers (Petcharack, 2004). Although, every employee has his or her own set of motivations that ginger him or her to work hard or not as the case may be. However, some employees are motivated by recognition, certificate and praise whilst others are motivated by cash incentives, financial bonuses,etc. Therefore, it is essential for managers to understand what really motives employees, without making just an assumption.

Additionally, managers are responsible for creating an environment that is conducive for improved performance, so as to induce the right behavior from employees in the organization and also, ensuring that working conditions are adequate and welfare packages are attractive to the employees (Akanbi, 2002). It is well acknowledged that rewards like good salary, good working conditions, the availability of suitable housing, promotions, opportunities for staff training, etc. inspire employees to boost their capacity for efficiency that help in achieving the organization goals.

In the nutshell, organizations would not last long and the set goals will not be achievable if their employees are not motivated. An individual who has ability, skills and knowledge would not do much without motivation. Also, the efficiency of an employee does not depend largely on his ability, intelligence, skills and knowledge but on the motivation which he has (Abbegleen, 2001). However, human resources must be activated, trained, developed and above all motivated in order to realize the organizational goals.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The performance of the organization and employee motivation has been the heart of the research effort in recent times. How strong an organization motivates its workers in order to meet their mission, vision and mandate is of dominant concern. Employees in both public and private sector organizations are increasingly aware that motivations increases workers efficiency.

Most employees in Nigeria oftentimes complain about their wages and salaries administration, poor working condition, welfare, provision of adequate machinery and materials at work place, provision of proper appliance and their maintenance etc. the above complaints are indications that things are not going smoothly with the employees. Thus, in order to ensure that people employed in the public organization perform optimally towards the realization of the set goals, they need to be motivated to work.

In order to achieve a maximum staff efficiency and output, employers in any organization should, as a matter of policy and necessity, motivate their staff. Motivation of staff is a highly relative matter since it varies in degrees, dimensions and places of employment. Thus, the policies formulated in any organization cannot be enthusiastically and successfully implemented when the employees are very apathetic with the conditions prevailing in their workplace. In view of the above, this study seek to examine

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main aim of the study is to examine the impact of motivation on staff efficiency in the maritime industry using Rivers Port as a case study; The specific objectives include:

1. Ascertain whether there is a significant relationship between motivation and employee efficiency.
2. Find out the major motivational factors that influences employee efficiency in Rivers Port.
3. Ascertain whether there is an adequate availability of motivational scheme for employee of Rivers Port.
4. Find out the impact of motivation on employees’ efficiency in Rivers Port.

1.4 Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following questions;

1. Is there a significant relationship between motivation and employee efficiency?
2. What are the major motivational factors that influences employee efficiency in Rivers Port?
3. Is there an adequate availability of motivational scheme for employee of Rivers Port?
4. What is the impact of motivation on employees’ efficiency in Rivers Port?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant relationship between motivation and employees’ efficiency.

Ha: There is a significant relationship between motivation and employees’ efficiency.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study would provide an insight on how to improve employee efficiency. It would also help organizations to enhance their corporate image as good employers through promotion of good human resource practices. It would enable managers to identify, understand and implement strategies to motivate employees all year round in order to achieve optimal business results. The employees would be able to identify other factors that motivate them more once their financial needs are met. This would enhance their morale, their performance and ultimately their job satisfaction.

The study would sensitize the unions in their efforts to advocate for workers’ rights. It would provide them with a practical approach and guidelines in dealing with issues relating to motivation and alternatives to pay increases. It would enlighten the researcher and other future researchers on the importance and relevance of good management to individual employee performance and the overall organization performance.

The outcome of this research would be a working tool for managers of the local governments to use it to ensure that employees were well motivated to stay in the local government to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Distinctive local governments value their human capital because without them, it would be difficult to achieve the vision of the school to beat its competitors.

The research work would serve as a policy shaping document for the institution and other public sectors set up to improve its human resource related problems, since organizations are battling over appropriate ways of encouraging workers to improve work output.

This research would also bring to light factors or untoward conditions that demotivate workers from putting up their best in the fulfilment of the institution’s objectives.

The study would also extend the literature on human resource management and thus contribute to the growth of management as a discipline. Finally, the study intended to investigate the importance of factors that motivated employees in the Plateau state local governments.

The research would also benefit the future researchers who would carry out research about the same topic of motivation and employee efficiency and may learn more about motivation practices, factors affecting employee efficiency, the relationship between motivation and employee efficiency among others.

1.7 Scope of Study

This study is structured to focus on the impact of motivation on staff efficiency in the maritime industry using Rivers Port as a case study. The participants for the study will be obtained from staff of Rivers Port.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. More so, the researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Motivation:

According to Shedd, (2010) motivation is defined as “a physiological or psychological deficiency or need that activates behaviour or a drive that is arrived at a goal or incentive”. According to Abdulkadir et al. (2015), “motivation is the inducement of a desired behavior with in subordinates”. It is the inducement of a desired behaviour within subordinates.

Extrinsic Motivation:

According to Mertler (2012), “extrinsic motivation results from the attainment of externally administered rewards, including pay, material possessions, prestige, and positive evaluations from others”. In this study, extrinsic motivation of teachers included externally administered rewards like salary, free accommodation, free meals, weekly duty and extra teaching allowances, advance payments in case of financial problems, leave of absence and free medical care among others.

Intrinsic Motivation:

Intrinsic motivation is an inducement derived from within the person or from the activity itself and, positively affects behavior, performance, and wellbeing (Mertler, 2012).

Employee Motivation:

Employee motivation is one of the policies of managers to increase effectual job management amongst employees in organizations (Shadare et al, 2019).

1.10 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows.

1. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
2. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.
3. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.
4. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.
5. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.