Motivational Factors Affecting Performance of the Millennial Generation in the Intergovernmental Organizations: A Case of the United Nations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine motivation factors affecting the millennial generation in the intergovernmental organizations, case of United Nations. Specifically, the research sought to determine, to what extent career progression opportunities, employment benefits and competitive basic salary affect motivation of the millennial employees. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population of this study consisted of the millennial employees working for United Nations, on non-permanent employment basis. The population size was 1554 employees. Stratified random sampling was used, from which the statas were considered. The sample size for the study was 310 respondents. Data collection was done with closed ended questionnaires and was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Content validity was done to ascertain clarity and simplicity. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation was employed, at the same time inferential analysis was done using regression and correlation analysis to establish the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The results of the questionnaires were presented using tables and figures. The finding revealed that majority consider career progression opportunities before accepting any job offer. In addition, supervisor has had interest in their career progression. It was also revealed that millennials can reject a new job offers if awarded a job promotion with the current employer. A Pearson correlation analysis established a positive and significant relationship between the variables (p<0.05). The regression results showed that 20.3% of the variation in motivation was explained by the variations in career progression and the p value was significant (p<0.05). Analysis of the second objective shows that in employment retirement benefits are important to stimulate individuals to work hard. Most of the respondents strongly agreed that they value health insurance benefits offered by the employer. The findings also show that education benefit offered by employer is important. A Pearson correlation analysis established a positive and significant relationship between the variables (p<0.05). The results of the regression analysis revealed that 38.8% of the variation in motivation was explained by the variations in employee benefits and the p value was significant (p<0.05). v The study revealed that good basic salary is a major driver for stimulation at work. Majority agreed that they would relinquish current position, if offered with another well-paid basic salary job. A Pearson correlation analysis established a positive and significant relationship between the variables (p<0.05). The results showed that 85.3% of the variation in motivation was explained by the variations in employee benefits and the p value was significant (p<0.05). The study concluded that career progression opportunities is the main factor that millennial consider before accepting any job offer and job promotion is an encouraging factor in meeting the personal accomplishments. It was also concluded that retirement benefits, health insurance benefits offered by the employer and education benefit offered is important in influencing the millennial decision to accept current job. Finally, the study concluded that good basic salary is a major driver for stimulation at work and hardly do millennials accept a job promotion without a pay rise. The study recommended that there is also a need to have a well formulated succession planning in the intergovernmental organizations to ensure continuity. Secondly, there is a need to offer benefits like retirement, health insurance and education benefit in order to attract and hold current employees although the terms and conditions should be reviewed as it plays a role in influencing the decision to accept current job. Lastly organizations need to have basic salary commensurate with the job done as basic salary influence millennials to accept current job, in addition job promotion should be accompanied with a pay rise. This study was focused on establishing motivational factors affecting the millennial generation in the intergovernmental organization. Thе rеsеаrchеr rеcommеnds thаt othеr studiеs bе conductеd on thе sаmе subjеct аrеа in governmental organizations so as to be able to determine variation in millenial motivation. Othеr rеsеаrchеrs could cаrry out а similаr rеsеаrch in othеr non governmental organizations other than the onеs studiеd in this rеsеаrch аnd thе rеsults thеrеforе usеd for compаrisons.