Health Crisis and Work Motivation: The Psychosocial Context of Sustainable Work

Zaneta Nejman, Joanna Sadlowska-Wrzesinska, Anna Albrychiewicz-Slocinska and Agnieszka Filipek

European Research Studies Journal, 2024, vol. XXVII, issue 1, 673-695

Abstract: Purpose: This article is of a research nature and its aim is to identify the psychological factors that have the strongest impact on staff motivation, taking into account the difficult conditions of the health crisis. The authors want to show that preventive actions regarding psychosocial risks are part of the activities of organizations focused on sustainable development. Design/Methodology/Approach: First, an in-depth analysis of sources and documents devoted to the topic of employee motivation was carried out. It was necessary to select motivational factors and conduct surveys in the period before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In the next step, the Delphi method was used to identify motivational factors related to psychosocial risk. Then, using the Absolute Grayness Incidence Rate, selected motivational factors were analyzed, which allowed for a discussion of the research results and formulation of research conclusions. The research was conducted at the turn of 2017-2023 in the Wielkopolska province in Poland. The study involved 460 respondents (n=460) before the COVID-19 pandemic, and 295 respondents (n=295) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: Analysis of the results using the Absolute Degree of Grey Incidence method showed that before the pandemic, the most motivating factors were: "Employment security", "Lack of mobbing and discrimination" and "Feeling of stability and security at work". In turn, during the pandemic, the factors that received the highest scores in the ranking were: "Feeling of stability and security at work", "Good relations with colleagues" and "Good relations with superiors". Practical Implications: Correct identification of psychosocial motivators is a current topic that requires deeper analysis, mainly due to constantly changing working conditions, social changes and the epidemiological situation in the world. From the perspective of an organization, the use of an appropriate motivational strategy is an essential element in achieving a situation in which an employee uses all their mental abilities and creativity. Originality/Value: Analysis of the results using the Absolute Degree of Grey Incidence Method showed a ranking of motivating factors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The methodological approach, different from the commonly used ones, presented in this manuscript allowed to look at the research problem from a slightly different perspective.

Keywords: Sustainability; employee motivation; work safety; labor costs; social costs; Delphi Method; Grey Systems Theory. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L2 M5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ers:journl:v:xxvii:y:2024:i:1:p:673-695

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