AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION IN PUBLIC PARASTATAL ORGANIZATIONS IN TANZANIA: A CASE STUDY OF TANESCO HEADQUARTERS UBUNGO

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study assessed the factors affecting employee motivation in public parastatal organizations in Tanzania, specifically at TANESCO Headquarters in Ubungo. The primary objectives were to identify key motivational factors affecting employees, explore employee perceptions of these factors, and identify potential barriers or obstacles hindering motivation. The population comprised 240 employees across diverse job roles, with a purposive sample of 12 employees selected for focus group discussions to gather insights on motivational factors. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data, identifying key patterns in employee perceptions. The findings indicated that career advancement opportunities, job security, and a supportive work environment were primary motivators. Financial incentives and non-financial rewards, such as recognition, were also significant contributors to motivation. However, challenges like excessive workloads, limited promotion opportunities, and rigid policies emerged as substantial barriers to motivation. The study emphasized ethical considerations, obtaining informed consent and ensuring confidentiality for participants. While valuable insights were gained, the reliance on a limited number of participants may restrict the generalizability of the findings. Future research could benefit from a larger sample size and the incorporation of quantitative methods to validate and expand upon these insights. Additionally, exploring motivation across different organizational levels, departments, and demographic factors such as age, gender, and tenure would provide a more comprehensive understanding of employee needs and motivators. Investigating the impact of organizational culture and leadership styles on employee motivation, as these factors were not addressed in this study, would also be beneficial. Despite these limitations, the research provided actionable recommendations for TANESCO and similar organizations, highlighting the need for clear career pathways, improved workload management, and fair reward systems to enhance employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.