Work Motivation of Government Officials at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Land Office and its Sung Noen and Sikhio Branches

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1) study the level of work motivation among government officials at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Land Office and its Sung Noen and Sikhio branches; 2) compare work motivation classified by personal factors, namely gender, education level, and job position; and 3) propose guidelines for enhancing work motivation. This study was quantitative research, studying a population of 156 government officials working in the aforementioned areas. The research instrument was a rating scale questionnaire. Statistics used for data analysis included percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, F-test, and Scheffé’s method for pairwise comparisons. The research findings revealed that:

1. The overall and individual aspects of the government officials' work motivation were at a high level. When ranked by mean scores from highest to lowest, the aspects were advancement, recognition, interpersonal relations, compensation and benefits, and work achievement, respectively.
2. Government officials with different genders, education levels, and job positions showed no statistically significant differences in their overall work motivation at the .05 level.
3. The proposed guidelines for the work motivation of the land office government officials are: 1) strengthening leadership to maintain the merit system and work value; 2) utilizing knowledge management to build upon the organizational culture and brotherhood system; and 3) improving work processes and integrating cross-functional coordination.

The key research finding is that the officials' motivation is driven by "justice and work value". Although all aspects of motivation were at a high level, "advancement" was the most prominent dimension. This is rooted in the belief in fair salary step promotions coupled with the feeling that their job position is meaningful. This reflects that the government officials do not solely value career promotion, but they also value the merit system and the meaning of work derived from benefiting the public, which serves as a powerful intrinsic motivation.