The concept of the trichotomy of motivating factors in the workplace

Abstract

The paper presents key issues related to motivation in the workplace and its methodological aspects, giving special attention to an analysis of the classification of motivation factors. It describes the characteristics of major selected factors. The author proposes a new approach to factors based on the concept of the trichotomy of motivation factors in the workplace (work environment and work situations) which extends Herzberg’s two-factor theory. The concept identifies three groups of factors: “motivators” which, when they occur, lead to satisfaction, “hygiene factors” which, when they do not occur, lead to dissatisfaction, and “demotivators” which, when they occur, lead to dissatisfaction. Their vectors of impact are totally different, although they occur simultaneously in the workplace. Therefore, the presented concept constitutes a methodological directive which suggests the extension of the research area by including an analysis of factors which reduce motivation to work.