Herzberg’s Theory In Libyan Environment

Abstract

Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory is a popular but controversial theory of employee satisfaction. This theory has classified
factors that influence employees’ satisfaction into two categories “Motivators and Hygiene factors”. The theory was at the centre of a
long debate that focused on conceptual and methodological problems. The objective of this comparative study is to understand both the
hygiene factors and the motivators in the Libyan environment. The study aims to give a clear picture about the impact of implementing
American theories of motivation in different environments. A ratio analysis method has been used in this study; where ratio > 50 percent
illustrates positive relation with a theory’s factor, ration < 50 percent indicates inverse relation. The findings support Herzberg Two-Factor
theory of work motivation, where all motivators defined by Herzberg were found to be significant satisfiers (motivators) in the Libyan
workplace environments. On the other hand, some differences were found in the hygiene factors; thus these factors have been changed
into motivators due to the differences between the two environments. Furthermore, the study recommends that, to avoid the dominance
of the American theories it is important to develop culturally appropriate theories.