Proceedings of Annual Tokyo Business Research Conference 15 - 16 December 2014, Waseda University, Tokyo, japan, ISBN: 978-1-922069-67-2 Motivational Factors Influencing Job Performance of Employees in Asia Engineering and Service (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Sethapol Lieophairot* and Nuttawut Rojniruttikul ** The purposes of this research were 1) To study the job performance level of employees in Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. and 2) To study the motivational factors influencing job performance of employees in Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. The sample size was 80 employees in Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. which were selected by simple random sampling method. The research instruments were questionnaires and data were analyzed by statistical program. Statistics for data analysis were percentage, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation. Multiple Linear Regression was used to test the hypothesis. The research results were as follows : 1. In overall, job performance of employees in Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. was at high level. 2. Employee Relationship and Working Environment could influence the job performance of employees in Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. at statistical significance level of 0.05. Field of Research: Operations Management 1. Introduction The most crucial element of every organization, either public sector or private sector organizations, is the workers in those organizations. Due the changes in organizational management and employee needs all the time, the study on the performance of organizational people has been the issue requiring time taken for endeavor to grasp. In managing organizations to be viable and efficient, the insight study on the goals of the workers in different departments has also been essential for furtherance on maximum work efficiency. Motivation has been an important factor for the individual‟s working and for the organization. Since each individual has difference motivation, hence, it creates the job satisfaction. However, if the individuals in the organization have received proper motivation, they will have good working morale and willing to work beyond their capabilities. The motivation and working morale building have become essential factors for motivating and retaining the valuable employees to stay with the organization. Moreover, it helps the employees to gain more self-development for growth and success of that organization. With such reason, the researcher is interested on studying the motivational factors influencing employee job performance. Apart from recognizing on the motivational factors that effect on performance, the administrator or manager can determines the strategies and policies that _____________________________________________________________________ *Mr. Sethapol Lieophairot, Administration and Management College, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand, Email: pol7511@hotmail.com ** Assistant Professor. Dr. Nuttawut Rojniruttikul, Administration and Management College, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand, Email: krnuttaw@kmitl.ac.th 1 Proceedings of Annual Tokyo Business Research Conference 15 - 16 December 2014, Waseda University, Tokyo, japan, ISBN: 978-1-922069-67-2 satisfy the employees‟ needs, in order to create the motivation and result in a better performance. Moreover, the data collected from this research can be used as the supplementary data to provide useful guideline in development of personnel to be qualified and capable for effective working; hence, resulting in competitiveness in world market and retention of ability for quality human resource to stay with the organization. 2. Literature Review According to the study on factors influencing job performance for the employees of Asiaengineering and Services (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the researcher has studied concepts, theories and research papers relating to motivational factors influencing working through the collection of motivational factor-related data from the concepts of Herzberg (1950-1959), Maslow (1954), McClelland, D.C. (1940) and Prasad, P. (2001) that refer to motivational factors influencing job performance. The motivational factors applicable for research have included job characteristics, career advancement, reward and compensation, employee relationship and working environment. Job Characteristics Bodnarchuk, M. (2012), job characteristics is the key factor for organization management, which the idea of its presents scope, purpose and responsibilities of works. Most of companies use the job characteristics as one of the HR processes as employee recruitment, work assessment and operation planning. Bodnarchuk argues that the generic format is the significant task consisting with the fundamental company of job characteristics, which the templates and forms can be varied depending on different situation. Bodnarchuk mentioned the portrayed of job characteristics as competency presenting the currently work that it is necessary to focus on the worker abilities on their position. In this case, Bodnarchuk described deeply meaning of the competency that individual works are required differently skills and knowledge that based on job characteristics. In accordance with Texas State Auditor's Office, job characteristics can be summarized as the most essential of job features, which demonstrates the ability in order to present the job performance. Career Advancement Career Advancement is a way to develop an individual to work efficiently. This will be beneficial to both employees and the organization. There should be a set plan for career advancement if one prefers career advancement. They also should have a good knowledge as well as understanding in each of the development processes. According to Janeprakone, C. (2007), there is the concept helping to develop organization‟s employees to work efficiently and provide them the opportunity on advancement upon their potential and readiness of each employee. As a result, career advancement or career development is the tool of human resource development providing benefit to both employees and organizations. The effect of career advancement is leading the organization to the success under the mutual objectives between employees and organization. 2 Proceedings of Annual Tokyo Business Research Conference 15 - 16 December 2014, Waseda University, Tokyo, japan, ISBN: 978-1-922069-67-2 Reward and Compensation are expenses that organization needs to distribute to each employee. This may be in the form of salary or it could be in other forms. This will work as job reward for each employee and their responsibilities. It will motivate employees to work effectively and efficiently which will provide encouragement to employees. It will also enhance the livelihood status of employees by providing reward and compensation. In consonance with Kecharananta, N. (2002), reward and compensation is provision of economic benefits in various forms including wage, salary, compensation or other benefits provided by the organization to the organization‟s personnel as the reward of their operations. Reward and compensation is very important as the tool helping to manage the performance of the employees. The reward and compensation system has always been developed in order to optimize the structure of reward and compensation to suit with the organization. This will enable the performance of the organizational strategies to be successful. Furthermore, these expenses may be in monetary or non-monetary forms for rewarding to the employees upon their performance of their responsibilities and duties. Reward and compensation motivates employees to work efficiently, provides them morale on working, and improves their quality of life (Thananan, S. 2009). Employee Relationship Employee Relationship is a relation between individual employee within organization or people for each society or community. Employee relationship is needed to achieve the set goals. There are two characteristics of relationship between employees; which are good relationship and the bad relationship. The people within organization or society will have satisfaction and understanding as well as cooperation, support, share, and forgiveness if the relationship is good. On the other hand, if the relationship is in a bad condition, the people in the organization or society will have conflict and they will not cooperate and support each other. There may mistreat each other which will affect the organization and the specific society. Therefore, the lack of happiness within working environment may affect more or less, the lives of each and every individual within the organization. In accordance with Kecharananta, N. (2002), Employee Relationship is very important for all humans to work with others in every age, either older than them, younger than them, or “colleagues” or “friends” in the same age. There was a wise man stated that, besides the support of seniors and juniors, the support of friends and colleagues in the same level is also necessary for supporting us to be more developed and advanced. As a result, it is necessary to maintain the good relationship with the colleagues and friends. Moreover, Employee Relationship may lead to ability of co-operation and good understanding among one another. The relationship between factors contributing satisfaction and factors contributing dissatisfaction is compared as the house structure and house basement. The factors contributing dissatisfaction is compared as the house basement, therefore, when the basement is stable, factors contributing satisfaction will be able to operate all works smoothly and able to use their own abilities fully (Vilawan, K. 2002). Working Environment Working Environment is everything that surrounds employees within organization. It reflects the attitude of employees to their jobs as well as their colleagues. The example in the form of working environment can be defined as supervisors or colleagues. There are also objects such 3 Proceedings of Annual Tokyo Business Research Conference 15 - 16 December 2014, Waseda University, Tokyo, japan, ISBN: 978-1-922069-67-2 as, machines, tools, equipment, and chemical substances. Additionally, there is also in the form of energy; such as, oxygen, light, sound, or heat. These are also factors which affect social psychology; such as, hour of works, compensation or rewards after the job is completed, the devotion to work, the ability to provide mental strength and physical strength to work together and solve problems. Therefore, the result is more effective and efficient. On the opposite, the working environment may also be factors that could create pressure in work which leads to the feeling of fatigue. Wichawut, S. (2011) strongly argues that working environment is another factor influencing on the efficiency of any action, for example, work performing, book reading, etc. The working environment would be able to influence the efficient success as same as abilities and knowledge, for example, If the working environment facilitates the operation but knowledge is insufficient, the operation may not be completed. On the other hand, If knowledge is sufficient but the working environment is poor (e.g., low lighting, noisy), this type of working environment may bring disturbance and inattention leading to unsuccessful or defect working. As a result, working environment is another factor influencing on the operation. According to Pookpan, P. (2011), working environment also reinforces and destroys employee‟s morale. As a result, good working environment according to the principles of sanitation (e.g., clean and ordered workplace, etc.) may makes the employees have no disturbance and depressed emotion. Consequently, they will subsequently have good morale. If the working environment lacks of orderliness, cleanliness, and attractiveness, employees will lack of attention on performing their works and it may demotivate the employees completely. Finally, it could be concluded that the working environment means orderly and good environment with good proportion of workplace, and sufficient equipment and facilities for working. Job performance In part of the element of job performance appraisal, the researcher has reviewed the concept of Tenner, Arthur R, Detoro, Irving J. (1992) and John J, Dilulio Jr, Geoffrey P (1993) stating that the element of job performance appraisal is applicable for job performance. it was appeared that the factors used as appraisal element include quantity of work, quality of work, working time, work safety, working procedure, working knowledge, teamwork, leadership, company regulation practice, and activity participation. 3. The Methodology and Model Research Objectives 1) To study the job performance level of employees in Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. 2) To study the motivational factors influencing job performance of employees in Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. Hypothesis : Job Characteristics, Career Advancement, Reward and Compensation, Employee Relationship and Working Environment influencing job performance of employees in Asiaengineering and service (thailand) Co.,Ltd. 4 Proceedings of Annual Tokyo Business Research Conference 15 - 16 December 2014, Waseda University, Tokyo, japan, ISBN: 978-1-922069-67-2 Theoretical Model: The researchers offered a conceptual model constructed based on literature review representing the relationship between the motivational factors and job performance as shown in Figure 1 Figure 1: Conceptual Model Independent variables Dependent variables Motivational Factors 1. Job Characteristics 2. Career Advancement 3. Reward and Compensation 4. Employee Relationship 5. Working Environment job performance Scope of Reseach In this research, The researcher aims to study the factors influencing job performance for the employees of Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. Population and Sample Group The populations used in this research were total of 100 employees of Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. The sample size derived from the calculation by Yamane‟s formula was 80 people, and Simple Random Sampling method is used as data collection method. Research Applied Instrument The questionnaire was the main instrument used in this research to collect the responses from the employees of Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. The questionnaire consists of both close-ended questions and open-ended question with below details. Part I is the personal factor-related questionnaire for respondents who have been the employees of Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. including gender, nationality, age, marital status, educational level, type of employment, and work experience. Part II is the motivational factor-related questionnaire for employees of Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. and is the questionnaire in type of Rating Scale according to Rensis Likert‟s 5-Scale scaling method. 5 Proceedings of Annual Tokyo Business Research Conference 15 - 16 December 2014, Waseda University, Tokyo, japan, ISBN: 978-1-922069-67-2 Part III is the job performance questionnaire for employees of Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. and is the questionnaire in Rating Scale type according to Rensis Likert‟s 5Scale scaling method. Part IV is the open-ended question for respondents to express their other opinions and suggestions that should be additionally improved and developed from status quo for good employee job performance leading to organizational success. 4. The Findings Table 1 : Personal factors Personal factors Frequency Percentage 43 37 53.8 46.2 Total 2. Nationality Thai Burmese 80 100.0 64 16 80.0 20.0 Total 80 100.0 3. Age Less than 25 years 25 years to 35 years 35 years to 45 years More than 45 years 4 25 29 22 5.0 31.3 36.2 27.5 Total 4. Marital Status Single Marriage Widowed / Divorced / Separated 80 100.0 31 41 8 38.8 51.2 10.0 Total 5. Education Level Junior High School Senior High School Diploma Bachelor degree Post Bachelor degree 80 100.0 22 25 19 13 1 27.5 31.2 23.8 16.2 1.3 Total 6. Type of employment Full time Part time 80 100.0 52 28 65.0 35.0 1. Gender Male Female 6 Proceedings of Annual Tokyo Business Research Conference 15 - 16 December 2014, Waseda University, Tokyo, japan, ISBN: 978-1-922069-67-2 7. Working Experience Less than 1 years 1 years to 4 years 4 years to 7 years 7 years to 10 years More than 10 years 4 20 10 13 33 5.0 25.0 12.5 16.3 41.2 Total 80 100.0 From Table 1, the result shows that most of the employees who have been the respondents of the questionnaires are male with over 35 years – 45 years of age, married status, educational level in high school education / vocational certificate, type of full time employment, and over than 10 years of working experience. Table 2 : Mean ( X ) Standard deviation (S.D.) Level and Sequence of Motivational Factors Motivational Factors Job Characteristics Career Advancement Reward and Compensation Employee Relationship Working Environment Total X 3.858 3.770 3.600 3.730 3.595 4.359 S.D. Level Sequence 0.439 0.558 0.665 0.523 0.575 0.411 High High High High High High 1 2 4 3 5 - Table 2 represents that the employees have high level of overall motivational factors with maximum value of motivational factor in job characteristics and secondary values in career advancement, employee relationship, reward and compensation, and working environment, respectively. Table 3 : Mean ( X ) Standard deviation (S.D.) Level and Sequence of Job Performance of employees Job Performance S.D. Level Sequencee X Quantity of work High 8 3.740 0.532 Quality of work High 5a 3.813 0.538 Working time High 4 3.858 0.574 Work safety High 7 3.750 0.571 Working procedure High 3 3.880 0.603 Working knowledge High 9 3.693 0.586 Teamwork High 2 3.983 1.050 Leadership High 5a 3.813 0.634 Company regulation practice High 1 4.090 0.594 Total High 3.846 0.460 Note : a is the equal level 7 Proceedings of Annual Tokyo Business Research Conference 15 - 16 December 2014, Waseda University, Tokyo, japan, ISBN: 978-1-922069-67-2 As represents in table 3, the result shows that the employees have high level of overall job performance with maximum value of job performance in company regulation practice, and secondary values in teamwork, working procedure, working time, leadership, quality of work, work safety, quantity of work and working knowledge, respectively. Table 4 : Multiple Linear Regression Analysis of Motivational Factors Influencing Job Performance of Employees Variables bj t p-value Constant 1.186 2.987 0.004** Job Characteristics 0.129 1.054 0.295 Career Advancement 0.136 1.407 0.163 Reward and Compensation -0.014 -0.167 0.868 0.252 2.657 0.010* Employee Relationship Working Environment 0.212 2.086 0.040* R = 0.647 ; R2 = 0.418 ; SEE = 0.362 ; F = 10.64 ; p-value = 0.000** Note. * statistical significance level of 0.05 and ** statistical significance level of 0.01 The result from Table 4 shows that the employee relationship and working environment statistically significantly influencing overall job performance at the level of 0.05. All motivational factors could explain variation of job performance at 41.80%. 5. Summary and Conclusions From data analysis, the finding indicates high level of overall job performance of the employees in Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. When considering job performance level in individual aspects, it shows maximum job performance in company regulation practice aspect due to restrict company regulation and clear determination of employee practice guideline, affecting employee working on target determined by the company. Motivational factor in employee relationship aspect influences job performance. This is consistent with the research finding of Poloski, N. and Hernaus, T. (2004) that employee relationship is related to job performance. The researcher opinion is that in working, the colleagues are directly important for the company operating performance and good colleagues will cause teamwork harmony, continuous working process, and consultation for mutual problem solving, affecting effective and good job performance. This is consistent with Dachner and Alison, M. (2011) who stated that good employee relationship will have positive impact both on the company and the employees. If the colleagues in the company have positive thinking, and acquaintance and unanimity, output increase can be driven. Working environment influences job performance, which is consistent with the research finding of Razak, A.A. (2012) who mentioned that proper environment factor is the most important factor directly affecting employee job performance. The researcher suggests that the company should supervise working environment to be clean with airy atmosphere, which may resulting in pleasant working of employees. Moreover, the company should facilitate the working by providing convenient way to travel to work, and providing an fascinating internal environment which in turns may result in better work performance and higher quality works. This is consistent with the research finding of Naharuddin, N.M. and Sadegi, M. (2013) that the crucial 8 Proceedings of Annual Tokyo Business Research Conference 15 - 16 December 2014, Waseda University, Tokyo, japan, ISBN: 978-1-922069-67-2 variables highly influencing working include mutual employee assistance and internal factory environment. If good factory environment can be created, particularly physical factory environment, it will result in good working efficiency. Job characteristic has no influence on job performance. The employees must work according to same roles, duties and responsibilities daily and their practical works are repetitive works without any challenge or learning of new things, which may result in boring situation. This is inconsistent with the research of Bodnarchuk, M. (2012) stating that solely working makes every employee work what they love and skillful, resulting in high working motivation; and the existing jobs done are the jobs that require the use of full knowledge and competency, has challenging and persuasive characteristic for desire in opening the opportunity to use creative thinking correspondent to their knowledge and competency. Career advancement has no influence on job performance due to employee satisfactions on their positions and responsibilities. However, job performance is not associated with the consideration on position promotion according to knowledge and competency. In addition, the opportunity for knowledge and competency support such as continuous education, training and seminar, will be mostly granted to the supervisor or management levels rather than the operating level employees. This is inconsistent with the research of Sharma, S. (2012) stating that the advancement in position and duty highly affects working due to employee working consideration for yearly regular position promotion. All employees then will have high working motivation for promotion. Reward and compensation has no influence on job performance, since reward and compensation of the company has not yet built motivation for employees to have incentives and impulsion for better work performance. This is consistent with the research of Mikander, C. (2010) stating that the salary or compensation has no effect on employee job performance. The researcher opinion is that true impulsion must be occurred from internal feeling of the employee. Finally, in order to accomplish the works, fondness and proud of the company are the key factors that every organization needs to implant. Recommendation from this Research The company should emphasize, promote and support activities that will develop employee relationship in order to have work motivation and love and harmony since employee relationship will affect determined organizational target or objective achievement. The company should emphasize on supervising the internal and external factory environment to be clean, in good order and convenient for working. In addition, the company should regularly improve and develop environments of different working areas inside the company. Suggestion for Future Study The future study on motivational factors influencing job performance for the employees of Asiaengineering and Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. should focus on other aspects of the factors such as employee working morale factor and employee quality of work life factor, since these factors are important factors related to work and may affect employee job performance. 9 Proceedings of Annual Tokyo Business Research Conference 15 - 16 December 2014, Waseda University, Tokyo, japan, ISBN: 978-1-922069-67-2 The future study should also focus on other factors relating or affecting employee working motivation through the implementation of the result acquired from this research, such as, the issues for satisfactions on welfare, organizational policy and participation. References American Compensation Association 1992, Objectives, p. 2.1. 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