What keeps us going: Driving employees work motivation in the management information group of Megaworld Corporation: An integrative action research (IAR) paper

• Main Author: Suñiga, Bryan Joseph B.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/5250
• Institution: De La Salle University

In this action research, I focused on addressing the issue we collaboratively identified which is the lack of employees work motivation. Manifestations of this issue include absenteeism and tardiness among employees, and constant delays in performing their tasks. This lead me to challenge the status quo because I have noted that there is a direct correlation between having motivated employees to corporate performance (Nohria, Groysberg, & Lee, 2008). With this project, I aimed to: (1) lessen the absences and tardiness of employees; and (2) improve employee engagement to increase productivity and decrease performance delays. In addressing the issue, first I determined what motivates my colleagues using the Self-Motivation Quiz by Richard Stephenson. The results showed that teamwork is the top motivator in the group. Then, I adapted the Filipino Needs Theory of Motivation by Ilagan, Hechanova, Co, & Pleyto (2014) to effectively come up with interventions that would address the issue. I also used the Lewins Change Model to initiate change in the organization. The interventions implemented to address the issue on employee motivation are: (1) serving free breakfast meals through the activity called Mornings @ MIG and creating an appreciative environment through Cheers for Peers; and (2) Conversations with Managers where employees were given feedbacks by the managers and solicits their insights to improve the groups performance. These activities were successful in achieving the objectives and highlighted the importance of open communication and commitment from everyone in addressing the issue. Thus, the success of the group lies on the collective efforts of its people. The experience taught me the values of patience, respect, and understanding everyone's perspective. Lastly, I have realized that organizational commitment is important in ensuring that employees will become more productive and remain motivated. Through this action research, our group aligns itself to the company's mission of providing long-term fulfilling career to its employees.