Motivational Factors of Employees in Health Care Institutions in Serbia

Miroslava Krstic; Vladimir Obradovic; Zorica Terzic-Supic; Dejana Stanisavljevic; Jovana Todorovic

doi:10.7595/management.fon.2018.0022

Miroslava Krstic NHIF
Vladimir Obradovic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Science-Belgrade
Zorica Terzic-Supic University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty-Belgrade
Dejana Stanisavljevic University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty-Belgrade
Jovana Todorovic University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty-Belgrade

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7595/management.fon.2018.0022

Abstract

Reserarch question: This paper investigates whether motivational factors have influence on the work of employees in health care organizations of Serbia and what factors affect employees. Motivation: Motivation and job satisfaction among different groups of workers in health care facilities in Serbia are an important issue. This study’s purpose is to assist health managers in their efforts to fulfill individual and organizational targets by highlighting the most preferred motivational factors among the employees. With good leadership and with the building of good motivational system the organization can increase its value and competitiveness. It has been shown that employees are more motivated and work under less stress if there is a support from their leader or manager (Jensen, 2010). Idea: The core idea of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between motivational factors and work of employees in health care institutions in Serbia. The central hypothesis of this study is what the managers within health care institutions have to do to improve motivation as well as their abilities for the fulfillment of both individual’s and organization’s needs. Data: The cross-sectional study included 217 physicians, nurses, technicians, health associates and non-medical staff in 21 facilities of primary, secondary and tertiary levels in Pozarevac, Belgrade, Nis, Pirot, Novi Sad, Zrenjanin, Krusevac, Varvarin and Novi Pazar. Tools: The research instrument was a questionnaire with questions regarding socio-demographic characteristics, participants’ characteristics and motivational factors. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Findings: The most important motivational factors are: salary, good interpersonal relationships and team work, contribution to population’s health and patient’s satisfaction. Around 10% of the participants thought that work could be done well even without motivational factors’ presence. Employees from the areas outside Belgrade rated job security higher in comparison with employees from Belgrade. A study conducted at the University of llorin Teaching Hospital in 2011 showed that salary was the most important motivational factor, followed by job security (Ojokuku& Salami, 2011). Contribution: Salary is an important motivational factor for employees in health care facilities in Serbia. Managers should work on the improvement of motivational factors through acknowledgement of needs of individual employees as well as through involving employees into decision making.

Author Biographies

Miroslava Krstic, NHIF

Miroslava Krstić graduated from the Faculty of Economy at the University of Belgrade, where she also completed her master degree in 2006. She earned her masters degree at the School of Medicine and the Faculty of Organization Sciences in 2016, while she acquired a PhD degree at the Faculty of Law of the University of Belgrade in 2016. She works at the Republic Health Insurance Fund of Serbia since 2007.

Vladimir Obradovic, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Science-Belgrade

Vladimir Obradovic is an associate professor at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences. In his teaching and research work he has achieved substantial results: over 80 papers published in national and international congresses and journals, as well as several monographs. For his scientific results, he has been awarded the highest scientific rank from the Serbian Ministry of Science. He has been engaged at all levels of education on the courses in the Management field. He also works as a consultant in several public, non-governmental and profit organizations. Vladimir is an active member of a number of international professional and academic associations.

Zorica Terzic-Supic, University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty-Belgrade

Zorica Terzic-Supic graduated from the School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, where she defended her MSc thesis and then earned her PhD degree. She is a specialist in Social Medicine and she works as a professor of Social Medicine, School of Medicine and Centre School of Public Health and Health Management, University of Belgrade. She is engaged in education of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of Social Medicine, Public Health, and Health Management.

Dejana Stanisavljevic, University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty-Belgrade

Dejana Stanisavljevic graduated from the School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, where she defended her MSc thesis and later earned her PhD degree. She is a specialist in Medical Statistics and Informatics and works as a professor of Medical Statistics and Informatics, School of Medicine and Centre School of Public Health and Health Management, University of Belgrade. She is engaged in education of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of Biostatistics and Biomedical Informatics.

Jovana Todorovic, University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty-Belgrade

Jovana Todorovic graduated from the School of Medicine, University of Belgrade. She earned her master degree in Physical activity, health and exercise therapy in 2016. At the moment she is a Phd student. She is engaged in education of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of Social Medicine, Public Health, and Health Management.