An Analytical Study of Factors Contributing to the Motivation for Advancement to Higher Positions of University Employees at Chiang Rai Campus, University of Phayao, Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to 1) examine the motivational processes that encourage employees to pursue advancement to higher positions 2) analyze the factors influencing motivation for career advancement and 3) propose effective strategies for developing a motivation system. A mixed-methods research design was employed. The quantitative phase involved seven university employees who completed a five-point Likert scale questionnaire with data analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The qualitative phase consisted of semi-structured interviews with five personnel administration supervisors, each possessing more than ten years of professional experience. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicated that 1) the motivation-building process comprised six elements included clear communication and goal setting, structured support and mentoring, appropriate workload and resource management, fair evaluation and reward systems, and systematic monitoring and feedback 2) factors influencing motivation included internal motivation such as particularly the desire for continuous self-development, and external motivation such as the need for career stability, recognition from senior administrators, and organizational support for further education or professional development and  3) effective strategies for strengthening employees’ motivation for advancement to higher positions involve efforts by administrators to implement clear communication, establish support and mentoring systems, enhance necessary competencies, ensure appropriate workload allocation, promote fair evaluation and rewards, and maintain continuous feedback mechanisms. Employees engage in self-assessment and pursue ongoing self-development, which should be incorporated into the organization’s personnel development plan.