Factors Influencing Job Motivation and Performance

Empirical Evidence from the Ethiopian Federal Police

Abstract

Motivation is one of the factors playing a significant role in increasing the capacity of human performance and productivity. Among the various components of the criminal justice system, the police play a vital role in meeting the public demand for justice. Motivating police officers is, thus, crucial to increase efficiency in combating crime. This study aimed to investigate and understand the motivational factors and their contributions to motivating police officers. The study employed a quantitative research method as a strategy. Three hundred six participants were selected using a stratified sampling technique. Of those, three hundred respondents filled out and returned the questionnaires. Data was collected using intrinsic and extrinsic motivational scale measures. The study found that the predictive validity of intrinsic (recognition, promotion, achievement, job satisfaction, and responsibilities) and extrinsic motivational factors (payment, leadership, work environment, interpersonal relations, and job security) are decisive in motivating the officers to do more work. The findings show that positive relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors determine the police officer's motivation to enforce the law. In addition, regression analysis revealed that job satisfaction, payment, work environment, and job security are the most significant predictors of job performance. The study reminds police officials and others to revisit human resource management policies and develop new ones informed by empirically supported research findings.