Employee Motivation and Firm Performance: A Case Study of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

Abstract

Organizations are looking for ways to improve their performances to meet their targets and adapt to the highly competitive work environment. An alternative is employee motivation. The study examines the relationship between employee motivation and firm performance using SSNIT as a case to test this relationship. A sample of fifteen (15) respondents were obtained via purposive sampling and convenience. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, and the data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. It was revealed that employee motivation is linked to performance at SSNIT. The organization employs both intrinsic and extrinsic forms of motivation and it utilizes predominantly the Performance Management System (PMS) to assess employees and motivational rewards are offered based on such scores. Moreover, the study identified challenges such as resource constraints, poor performance review and unfair promotion strategy. Based on the revelation, the researcher makes recommendations for action by management including; exploring other approaches where other forms of incentives can be added on to the existing ones to boost employee performances. Also, management should increase the share of the organization’s budget on motivation and a consideration of the performance review system by adopting a holistic type such as the use of 360-performance review so that it is not skewed as reported by respondents. The study demonstrates the practical and theoretical consideration of motivation in the world of work.