With many countries embarking on health sector reform, it is critical to understand what kinds of changes in organizational structure, functioning, and incentives can positively affect worker motivation. This exploratory research on the determinants and consequences of worker motivation in two Jordanian hospitals has highlighted important areas for reform at national, hospital and supervisory levels. Data was collected in three phases: contextual analysis of social, historical and organizational factors; a 360 degree assessment of factors affecting motivation from the perspective of managers, supervisors, workers and patients; and an in-depth analysis of determinants and consequences of motivation at the individual worker level. This research was conducted in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and several Jordanian universities. The three data collection phases, when analyzed together, highlighted labor regulations and human resource management practices in the Jordanian civil service that linked to factors negatively affecting worker motivation. In addition, data from the 360 degree assessment indicated disparities between workers and management in perceptions of hospital goals and management openness, as well as differences between nurses, physicians and other workers in perceptions of hospital culture and work conditions. The in-depth analysis also linked these differences to measures of worker satisfaction and performance. The results of these studies were presented to the hospitals and Ministry of Health policy makers, which formed the basis for a series of recommendations. The process of conducting this exploratory research also produced a set of streamlined instruments for similar studies in Jordan in other work contexts.
Learning Objectives: 1. articulate the many determinants of health worker motivation operating at individual, organizational, and societal levels and how they might differ between countries 2. discuss organizational changes or reforms that can stimulate health worker motivation in hospitals
Keywords: Workforce, Behavioral Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.