How Are NASA Engineers Motivated? An Analysis of Factors that Influence NASA Goddard Engineers’ Level of Motivation

Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Kea, Howard Eric
Language:	English
Published:	Antioch University / OhioLINK 2008
Subjects:	African Americans Behaviorial Sciences Engineering Gender Management Organizational Behavior engineers NASA intrinsic motivation extrinsic motivation work motivation multiple regression factor analysis workplace engineering profession Hygiene Factors 2 Factor Theory scientists government employees African-Americans women engineers
Online Access:	http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1232149548

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spelling	ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-antioch12321495482021-08-03T05:27:07Z How Are NASA Engineers Motivated? An Analysis of Factors that Influence NASA Goddard Engineers’ Level of Motivation Kea, Howard Eric African Americans Behaviorial Sciences Engineering Gender Management Organizational Behavior engineers NASA intrinsic motivation extrinsic motivation work motivation multiple regression factor analysis workplace engineering profession Hygiene Factors 2 Factor Theory scientists government employees African-Americans women engineers NASA is an organization known for pushing the envelope of engineering and scientific achievement. It can be argued that engineers working for NASA are intrinsically highly motivated due to the nature of the work and the mission of NASA. This study explores how supervisor behaviors, both intrinsic and extrinsic and demographic factors influence motivation of NASA Goddard engineers in their current environment. Recent Congressional and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) policies, such as full cost accounting, levy strict oversight of project spending. As a result of these policies, NASA engineers must now focus their attention on getting assigned work on funded projects in addition to pursuing technical innovation and creativity. The literature is replete with previous studies on motivation of engineers and scientists. These studies investigated Maslow (1970), Vroom (1964), Herzberg (1971), and Deci’s (1975) theories of motivation. Today, the workplace is much more diverse with regard to race, gender, and age. A web-based survey was used to collect data from a sample of engineers at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. 260 out of 583 engineers responded to the survey. 238 cases provided useable data for analysis. A hierarchical regression analysis revealed the demographic categories of females and non-whites did not significantly predict the level of motivation of engineers. Age was a significant factor influencing motivation. The age group of 39 and under had less of an influence on motivation and the age group of 40 and over had more of an influence. The over 60 age group had a very significant positive influence on motivation. Other significant factors influencing motivation were: supervisor behaviors, intrinsic factors such as feedback and competence, and extrinsic factors such as benefits, rewards and promotions. The results support the argument that NASA engineers are motivated by getting feedback from their immediate project supervisor, that they feel competent in their jobs, and that the benefits, rewards, and promotions fairly reflect their contribution and loyalty to the mission of NASA. 2008 English text Antioch University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1232149548 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1232149548 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection	NDLTD
language	English
sources	NDLTD
topic	African Americans Behaviorial Sciences Engineering Gender Management Organizational Behavior engineers NASA intrinsic motivation extrinsic motivation work motivation multiple regression factor analysis workplace engineering profession Hygiene Factors 2 Factor Theory scientists government employees African-Americans women engineers
spellingShingle	African Americans Behaviorial Sciences Engineering Gender Management Organizational Behavior engineers NASA intrinsic motivation extrinsic motivation work motivation multiple regression factor analysis workplace engineering profession Hygiene Factors 2 Factor Theory scientists government employees African-Americans women engineers Kea, Howard Eric How Are NASA Engineers Motivated? An Analysis of Factors that Influence NASA Goddard Engineers’ Level of Motivation
author	Kea, Howard Eric
author_facet	Kea, Howard Eric
author_sort	Kea, Howard Eric
title	How Are NASA Engineers Motivated? An Analysis of Factors that Influence NASA Goddard Engineers’ Level of Motivation
title_short	How Are NASA Engineers Motivated? An Analysis of Factors that Influence NASA Goddard Engineers’ Level of Motivation
title_full	How Are NASA Engineers Motivated? An Analysis of Factors that Influence NASA Goddard Engineers’ Level of Motivation
title_fullStr	How Are NASA Engineers Motivated? An Analysis of Factors that Influence NASA Goddard Engineers’ Level of Motivation
title_full_unstemmed	How Are NASA Engineers Motivated? An Analysis of Factors that Influence NASA Goddard Engineers’ Level of Motivation
title_sort	how are nasa engineers motivated? an analysis of factors that influence nasa goddard engineers’ level of motivation
publisher	Antioch University / OhioLINK
publishDate	2008
url	http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1232149548
work_keys_str_mv	AT keahowarderic howarenasaengineersmotivatedananalysisoffactorsthatinfluencenasagoddardengineerslevelofmotivation
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How Are NASA Engineers Motivated? An Analysis of Factors that Influence NASA Goddard Engineers’ Level of Motivation

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